Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project Week of Nov. 2, 2025

Colorado Springs - Due to scheduling issues, overnight temporary full closures of South Academy Boulevard east of Interstate 25 have been rescheduled for the week of Nov. 2 to allow crews to work on bridge expansion joints.

• Temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and I-25 on Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. A detour will be in place:
  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will travel I-25 southbound to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn east to the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), turn north onto Main Street, turn west onto Bradley Road, and enter northbound South Academy Boulevard

• Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and Bradley Road on Monday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. A detour will be in place:
  • Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will travel southbound on the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) to Main Street, travel north to Bradley Road, travel west and enter northbound South Academy Boulevard

• Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Detours will be in place:
  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Milton Proby Parkway, travel east to Hancock Expressway, continue south on Main Street, turn northwest onto CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and enter South Academy Boulevard
  • Bradley Road traffic will travel east and turn south onto Main Street, turn northwest onto CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and enter South Academy Boulevard

• Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and I-25 on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Detours will be in place:
  • Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto the CanAm Highway (US 85/87), travel northwest to B Street, travel south to Magrath Avenue, turn east and enter South Academy Boulevard
  • CanAm Highway (US 85/87) traffic intending to enter southbound South Academy Boulevard will travel south to Mesa Ridge Parkway, turn west to enter northbound Interstate 25, travel north to exit 135 and turn west onto South Academy.

Depending on work progress, contingency nights may be needed on Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 31 access to Fountain Creek Regional Trail north of South Academy Boulevard at Maxwell Street and Wilshire Drive will be closed for approximately one week (Friday, Nov. 7) to remove existing sidewalk and replace. A map is located at the closure with the detour route. Detours will be in place: cyclists and pedestrians can use Wilshire Drive and Welton Drive to cross over on Hartford Street to Wilshire Drive or use the Pedestrian Bridge over South Academy Boulevard.

Traffic on US 85/87 under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be diverted into a head-to-head configuration on the northbound lanes on Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to perform work on the bridge. Drivers should heed the speed limit, leave plenty of following distance and watch for crews and equipment in the work zone.

There are ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive for continuing traffic signal and island work. This alignment is planned to remain in place through Nov. 9.

• The southbound South Academy Boulevard inside left lane closure to enter southbound I-25
• There is a northbound South Academy Boulevard inside left lane closure under I-25

Delays should be expected, particularly during peak travel times. Drivers should allow extra time, maintain safe following distances, and merge early and safely when approaching the work zone. Drivers planning to access I-25 southbound will need to shift lanes well in advance.

There will be a temporary full closure of the southbound I-25 exit slip ramp and adjacent auxiliary lane at South Academy Boulevard on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for ditch work. Drivers exiting southbound I-25 to turn west will continue straight 200 feet and turn hard right at the intersection.

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until November 2025.

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

These closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

• Overnight temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and I-25 on Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
• Overnight temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and Bradley Road on Monday, Nov. 3, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above
• Overnight temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Milton Proby Parkway and the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour routes as described above
• Overnight temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway(US 85/87) and I-25 on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour routes as described above
• Overnight temporary full closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and I-25 on Thursday, Nov. 6 and Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. (contingency nights if needed)
• Access to Fountain Creek Regional Trail north of South Academy Boulevard at Maxwell Street and Wilshire Drive closed for approximately one week beginning Friday, Oct. 31 through Friday, Nov. 7. Use detour route as described above
• US 85/87 under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be diverted into a head-to-head configuration on the northbound lanes on Sunday, Nov. 2, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
• Brief intermittent ramp closures on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard at various interchanges between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway controlled by police officers on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Watch for signage and plan for delays
• Various ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive through Nov. 9. Plan for delays
• Temporary full closure of the southbound I-25 exit slip ramp and adjacent auxiliary lane at South Academy Boulevard on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until November 2025

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.

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

• Website: codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
• Email: [email protected]
• Hotline: 719-800-2162
• Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665

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:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

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!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!