A image of an read cross light with text that reads road work alert. News release

This information is being shared on behalf of CDOT. The bolded text below apply specifically to El Paso County.

El Paso County, Colorado, February 26, 2024 – The Colorado Department of Transportation has scheduled a right lane closure of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to westbound South Academy Boulevard on Monday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. to Tuesday, Feb. 27, 4:30 a.m., to allow crews to apply lane striping at the interchange.

In addition, there will be alternating left and right lane closures on southbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard on Monday, Feb. 26, 9 p.m. to Tuesday, Feb. 27, 4:30 a.m., to allow crews to restripe at the interchange.

There will be southbound I-25 alternating mobile lane closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue on Monday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to allow crews to clean up trash.

Also, there will be southbound I-25 mobile right lane closures between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue on Thursday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to allow crews to clean traffic control devices.

Detour Map

El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Two westbound lanes on South Academy Boulevard are open, along with a single eastbound lane using the westbound South Academy bridge over Fountain Creek. Speeds across the detour cross over lanes and across the bridge will remain reduced to 35 MPH. Bridge lanes will be 11 feet wide with a 2-foot shoulder. Oversize loads will not be allowed on the bridge during this closure.

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 Academy since merge area is greatly reduced. Work crews have installed signage and flashing beacons to alert traffic to the new lane lengths.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard have been shifted to the center of the roadway 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.

A detour map of South Academy Blvd

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135)

  • Monday, Feb. 26, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Southbound I-25 alternating mobile closures between mile 135 – 128
  • Monday night, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 off-ramp right lane closure at mile 135
  • Southbound I-25 alternating lane closures at mile 135
  • Thursday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Southbound I-25 mobile right lane closures between mile 135 – 128

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Ongoing full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard bridge over Fountain Creek – detour in place
  • 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