This information is being shared on behalf of CDOT. The bolded text apply specifically to El Paso County.
El Paso County, Colorado, February 2, 2024 – The Colorado Department of Transportation has scheduled a temporary full closure of the northbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Friday night, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m., to allow crews to perform drainage work across the roadway.
Full closure of US 85/87 on-ramp from northbound South Academy Boulevard:
- Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 10, 11 a.m.
A detour will be in place:
- Traffic intending to exit to US 85/87 from northbound South Academy Boulevard will continue north, turn right to exit onto Bradley Road, turn right and travel under the South Academy bridge, turn onto the entrance to southbound South Academy, and continue south to the US 85/87 exit.
On Monday, February 5, there will be a right lane closure on westbound South Academy Boulevard from the I-25 southbound off-ramp to Venetucci Boulevard to address drainage issues.
A detour remains in place for westbound travel on South Academy Boulevard between US 85 and I-25 over Fountain Creek. Two eastbound lanes on South Academy Boulevard are open, along with a single westbound lane using the eastbound South Academy bridge over Fountain Creek. Speeds across the detour cross over lanes and across the bridge will be 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. The closure of the westbound South Academy Boulevard bridge is ongoing for scour bridge investigation and countermeasures.
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 are installing signage and flashing beacons to alert traffic to the new lane 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.
Also, there will be a southbound I-25 alternating left and right lane mobile closures on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue to allow crews to clean traffic control devices.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
- Monday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Right lane closure on South Academy Boulevard from the I-25 southbound off-ramp to Venetucci Boulevard
- Friday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m. – 11 a.m. Full closure of US 85/87 on-ramp from northbound South Academy Boulevard
- Ongoing full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard 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
I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135)
- Tuesday, Feb. 6, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Southbound I-25 alternating left and right lane mobile closures between miles 128 – 135
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