April 20, 2024 – There will be ongoing southbound US 85/87 right and auxiliary lane closures under the South Academy bridge from Sunday, April 22 at 12 a.m. through Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipe across the roadway. Motorists are urged to use caution traveling through the area.
Due to gas line work in the area, north- and southbound US 85/87 left lane closures under the South Academy Boulevard bridge have been rescheduled for Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., through Tuesday, May 7, to allow crews to continue drainage pipe installation across the roadway.
Also, on Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. through Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., there will be north- and southbound US 85/87 alternating lane closures under the South Academy Boulevard bridge to allow crews to place lane striping for a temporary new configuration which will consist of a single lane closure in both the north- and southbound directions.
Additionally, there is a tentative plan to close the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. to Saturday, April 27, 12 p.m. for installation of drainage pipe across the roadway. A detour will be in place:
- Traffic intending to exit southbound South Academy Boulevard to US 85/87 will continue west and turn right onto Venetucci Boulevard, travel north and turn right onto the B Street overpass, and immediately turn right onto the CanAm Highway.
Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be reduced to one lane of alternating traffic on Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with flaggers and signage to assist travelers in navigation through construction to allow crews to perform work on new bridge pier caps. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public. Expect minor delays. In case of inclement weather, a contingency has been scheduled for Wednesday, April 24 and Thursday, April 25.
A shift to a temporary on-ramp for drivers entering northbound South Academy Boulevard from US 85/87 is ongoing as crews will perform work on roadway, drainage and utilities in the area. The ramp lane width will be reduced to 12 feet, and speeds will be reduced to 30 MPH. This closure will be in effect approximately 5-6 months.
Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. In particular, motorists should be prepared to stop on the US 85/87 on-ramp to eastbound South Academyand the Bradley Road on-ramp to eastbound South Academy since merge area is greatly reduced. Work crews are installing signage and flashing beacons to alert traffic to the reduced merge lengths.
All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the center of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform work on new bridge piers.
A left lane closure is ongoing for northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135)
- Monday, April 22 through Wednesday, April 24, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Temporary full closure of southbound I-25 off-ramp and right lane at Magrath Avenue, exit 132B. Detours will be in place.
- Monday, April 22, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Southbound I-25 mobile right lane closure between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue, mile points 136 to 128.
- Thursday, April 25, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
- Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
- Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m.
- Full closures of eastbound South Academy Boulevard at I-25. Use detour route.
- Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Southbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 134.5 to 133.5 and MP 131 to 130
- Friday, April 26, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Southbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 134.5 to 133.5 and MP 131 to 130
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
- Sunday, April 22, 12 a.m. through Friday, April 26, 7 p.m.
- Southbound US 85/87 right and auxiliary lane closure under South Academy Boulevard.
- Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. through Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m.
- North- and southbound US 85/87 alternating lane closures under South Academy Boulevard.
- Saturday, April 27, 4:30 a.m., through Tuesday, May 7
- Northbound US 85/87 left lane closures under South Academy Boulevard.
- Tuesday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 24, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge reduced to one lane of alternating traffic.
- Thursday, April 25, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (contingency)
- Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge reduced to one lane of alternating traffic.
- Friday, April 26, 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. (tentative)
- Southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp closure to US 85/87.
- Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place for approx. 5-6 months
- Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road
- Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge
- Ongoing closure of the Fountain Creek Regional Trail under South Academy Boulevard
Project Overview
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 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
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 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 twenty years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.
Project Contact Information
Website: https://www.codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
Email: I25CO94.mamsip@gmail.com
Hotline: 719-800-2162
Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665
About: 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.
About CDOT
CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.