Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of May 25, 2025

Travel Advisory

May 23, 2025 - Southbound lanes on South Academy closed for construction between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs — There will be a temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street on Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., to allow crews to install overhead sign structures over the roadway. The southbound South Academy on-ramp from Coventry Drive will also be closed. In case of weather impacts, a contingency night of Thursday, May 29 has been scheduled.

  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Milton Proby Parkway, travel east to Hancock Expressway, continue south on Main Street, turn south to US 85/87, travel south to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west to enter northbound I-25, travel north to exit 135 and turn west onto South Academy.
  • Westbound Milton Proby Parkway traveling on southbound South Academy Boulevard will exit at Hancock Expressway, continue south on Main Street, turn south to US 85/87, travel south to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west to enter northbound I-25, travel north to exit 135 and turn west onto South Academy.
  • US 85/87 traffic intending to enter southbound South Academy Boulevard will travel northwest, turn west onto B Street, travel south to Magrath Avenue, turn east and enter South Academy.
  • Traffic intending to enter southbound South Academy Boulevard from Coventry Drive will travel north to Maxwell Street, turn east onto the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), travel south to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west to enter northbound I-25, travel north to exit 135 and turn west onto South Academy.
Detour map for closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street
Detour map for closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street

The southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Coventry Drive will be temporarily closed on Tuesday, May 27, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., to allow crews to place new asphalt pavement. A detour will be in place:

  • Traffic intending to enter Coventry Drive from southbound South Academy Boulevard will continue east to Venetucci Boulevard, travel north to B Street and turn east onto East Las Vegas Street (CanAm Highway), turn south onto Maxwell Street and turn onto Coventry Drive.
Detour map for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Coventry Drive
Detour map for closure at southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Coventry Drive

Starting on Wednesday, June 4 at 7 p.m., southbound South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the outside and reduced to one lane between US 85/87 and Coventry Drive to allow crews to perform rehabilitation work on the Fountain Creek bridge deck and curbs. This lane reduction will be in place for approximately 30 days. Motorists should use caution as the southbound lane width will be narrowed across the bridge. Motorist are advised to used alternative routes.

A shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 is ongoing to allow crews to continue work on the bridge. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place through July 2025.

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between Interstate 25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes and construct a noise barrier. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until August 2025.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the north to allow crews to continue work on slope paving for the bridge.

Motorists should use caution as lanes will be narrowed across the southbound bridge over US 85/87 so crews can continue bridge work.

Motorists are advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and has a short acceleration lane.

Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. There is a new on-ramp from US 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Temporary closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street on Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour routes outlined above.
  • Temporary closure of the southbound South Academy on-ramp from Coventry Drive on Wednesday, May 28, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route outlined above.
  • Temporary closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and Hartford Street on Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency night). Use detour routes outlined above.
  • Temporary closure of the southbound South Academy on-ramp from Coventry Drive on Thursday, May 29, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency night). Use detour route outlined above.
  • Temporary closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to Coventry Drive, Tuesday, May 27, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Use detour route outlined above.
  • Ongoing shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 through July 2025.
  • Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until August 2025.
  • Ongoing shift of all lanes of Bradley Road to the north under South Academy Boulevard bridge.
  • Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp.

Project Overview

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

The improvements to South Academy Boulevard in this project are located on South Academy Boulevard at the southern mile and a half of this arterial road from the I-25 interchange, crossing US Highway 85/87, and continuing to the road’s approach to Milton Proby Parkway (which connects to Powers Boulevard/CO 21). Construction focuses on widening an approximately 1.5-mile section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction to alleviate recurring congestion. The project includes improved drainage facilities, lighting, striping, and expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls and bridgework. The project is expected to be complete by early 2026. This project is managed by El Paso County.

Interstate-25 – Safety and Efficiency Improvements

The improvements to I-25 addressed in this project are located along an approximately 7.5-mile segment of south I-25 beginning at South Academy Boulevard and extending to the Santa Fe Avenue (US Highway 85/87) exit at Fountain (MP 128), which exits to Gate 19 of Fort Carson. The project includes:

  • Replacement of two bridges crossing over South Academy Boulevard
  • Widening of both inside and outside shoulders and installing safety improvements
  • Concrete surface treatment overlay to provide an improved riding surface
  • Installation of median barrier

  • Rehab and widening work on four bridges 

  • Installation of an I-25 southbound deceleration lane at the interchange with Colorado Highway 16

Safety Benefits

CDOT conducted a safety assessment for the corridor to evaluate the magnitude and nature of safety problems and analyze the causes of crashes. These transportation improvements are mitigation measures to reduce crashes, improve infrastructure, and address physical deficiencies that contribute to crashes in the corridor. Over the next 20 years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.

Project Contact Information

About the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Build Grant

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has initiated a program to deliver more efficient and safer mobility along I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road, enabling economic stability and development. The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program is partially funded through an $18 million BUILD grant award from the US Department of Transportation. The delivery of these improvements will strengthen and enhance the redundancy of strategic movement between the nationally significant El Paso County military installations of Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and Schriever Space Force Base.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

  • Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
  • Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
  • Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
  • Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
  • Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
  • Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
  • Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
  • Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
  • Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
  • Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
  • Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

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