Weather and resources permitting, the South Academy Boulevard Widening Project is expected to begin on August 28. A project component of the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program
El Paso County, CO – August 01, 2023 – El Paso County Department of Public Works and contractor SEMA Construction, Inc. will begin construction in late August on the South Academy Boulevard Widening Project, one of the project components of the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvements Program (MAMSIP) partially funded through a federal BUILD Grant. Construction will focus 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 and bridgework. The project is expected to be complete by early 2026 (weather dependent).
“I am excited to see the construction start of the South Academy Widening project which will improve safety and mobility along this corridor for the community as well as for military personnel and their families,” said Longinos Gonzalez Jr., El Paso County Commissioner District 4
The project area of South Academy Boulevard comprises the southern mile and a half of this arterial road from the Interstate-25 interchange, crossing U.S. Highway 85/ 87, and continuing to the road’s approach to Milton Proby Parkway (which connects to Powers Boulevard/CO 21).
Work will include:
- Widening South Academy Boulevard along this mile and a half stretch;
- Widening and scour protection to improve the resilience of bridges crossing Fountain Creek;
- Noise abatement treatments,
- Drainage and lighting improvements, and;
- Various other infrastructure work resulting in three dedicated lanes of traffic in each direction along this section of the corridor.
Drivers are reminded to reduce speeds and to watch for workers, equipment, signs and barricades. El Paso County wishes to thank drivers in advance for their cooperation. Lane closures will accelerate the safe and efficient completion of this project.
This component of the project will be managed by El Paso County. MAMSIP project funding contributions from the Colorado Department of Transportation, El Paso County, Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, and a Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development, or BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grant program, provided by the Department of Transportation (DOT) made these projects possible.
ABOUT: MILITARY ACCESS, MOBILITY & SAFETY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUILD GRANT
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 and Schriever Space Force Bases, and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station.
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
Website: https://www.codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
Email: I25CO94.mamsip@gmail.com
Hotline: 719-800-2162