I-25 Acceleration/ Deceleration Lanes from Fillmore Street to Garden of the Gods Road

About the Project

The Colorado Department of Transportation and its contracting partner, SEMA Construction, began improvements along Interstate 25 from Garden of the Gods Road to Fillmore Street in Colorado Springs at the end of October. The project will enhance safety for Colorado’s traveling public by adding acceleration and deceleration lanes. The anticipated completion date of the project is late August 2026.

The growth of the community and business expansion has necessitated the initiation of the improvement project. Continuous acceleration and deceleration lanes will be added to both the northbound and southbound directions of I-25, spanning from Garden of the Gods Road to Fillmore Street. These auxiliary lanes aim to even out traffic flow and assist drivers in merging and exiting traffic efficiently. Additionally, to enhance road safety, the roadway will undergo resurfacing and adjustments will be implemented to address drainage concerns on the road, as well as the installation of permanent stop signs at Chestnut Street after the project is completed.

While working on the auxiliary lane project, the aging bridge on I-25 over Ellston Street will be reconstructed and widened. Additionally, bridge deck repairs will be made on the Garden of the Gods overpass structure. Upgrades to the intelligent transportation system (ITS) infrastructure (fiber optics and ramp meter station) will help with the flow of traffic to monitor, trigger and time vehicle release with automatic vehicle and queue detection to mitigate any traffic backups by adjusting meter timing.

Work this Week & Lane Closures I-25 Acceleration/ Deceleration Lanes

Project Facts

  • Construction Cost: $62 Million
  • Contractor: SEMA
  • Timeline: October 2023 through August 2026
  • Location: I-25 from Garden of the Gods Road to Fillmore Street
    • Nearest Town/City: Colorado Springs
    • Mile Point(s): 144.5 to 146
    • County: El Paso
Ellston Street Closure
Ellston Street Closure

Project Benefits

  • Auxiliary lanes help to balance traffic and facilitate the positioning of drivers at exits and the merging of drivers at entrances.
  • Resurfacing the roadway will create a smoother surface.
  • To help with drainage issues on the roadway, curve cross slope corrections will be made.

Work Schedule

  • Daytime work hours are Monday to Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Nighttime work hours are Monday to Sunday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Traffic Impacts

North and southbound overnight closures on I-25

  • Crews will have lane closures on north- and southbound Interstate 25 between MP 144 near Fillmore Street and MP 146 near Garden of the Gods Road.
  • During the planned overnight lane closures on Tuesday, March 3 and Wednesday, March 4, traffic lanes will be shifted to the east to allow crews to construct a new median shoulder.
  • Additional overnight closures on Thursday, March 5, and Friday, March 6, are scheduled for roadway restriping.
  • On the evening of Monday, March 2, motorists can expect:
    • A left lane closure on northbound I-25 from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. o A right lane closure on southbound I-25 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
  • On the evening of Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5, and tentatively Saturday, March 7, motorists can expect lane closures on northbound I-25 between Fillmore Street and Garden of the Gods Road:
    • Beginning at 7 p.m., the northbound left lane will be closed.
    • From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. there will be double lane closures on northbound I-25.
    • During the double lane closures traffic will be reduced to one lane. o All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, and Thursday, March 5.
    • All lanes will reopen by 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 7.
  • On the evening of Wednesday, March 4, and Friday, March 6, motorists can expect lane closures on southbound I-25 between Fillmore Street and Garden of the Gods Road:
    • Beginning at 7 p.m., the southbound left lane will be closed. o From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. there will be double lane closures on southbound I-25.
    • During the double lane closures traffic will be reduced to one lane.
    • All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m.

Motorists can expect the following impacts during the period of construction:

  • A 24/7 vehicle detour will be in effect when closed: north on Chestnut Street, right onto Garden of the Gods Road, right onto Sinton Road
  • Construction vehicles entering and exiting the construction site
  • Noise and vibrations can be expected due to construction work
  • The speed limit is reduced to 55 MPH on I-25 from MP 144 to MP 146
  • Refer to COtrip.org for real-time travel conditions and road closures