NOTE: This information is being shared on behalf of CDOT. The red text below applies specifically to El Paso County.
El Paso County, Colorado, September 22, 2023 – The Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close the northbound I-25 off-ramp at South Academy Boulevard (mile 135) nightly on Friday and Saturday, September 29 – 30, beginning at 8 p.m. for concrete roadway paving. All lanes will be re-open at 9 a.m. daily. Detours will be in place:
Traffic intending to exit at South Academy Boulevard will continue north to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drive (mile 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard.
El Paso County – MAMSIP – South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
Beginning next week, the Fountain Creek Regional Trail will be closed under South Academy Boulevard for approximately five months (March 2024) for drainage work. Detours will be in place: cyclists and pedestrians can either travel west to cross South Academy Boulevard on the pedestrian bridge, or use Wilshire Drive and Welton Drive to cross over on Hartford Street.
Drivers can anticipate an ongoing left lane closure on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road to allow crews to perform bridge work. This left lane closure will be in place for approximately five months.
There will also be an ongoing auxiliary lane closure on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek through mid-December for drainage line work.
All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the north side of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform drilling for new caisson construction.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
Night work on northbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard
- Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30, 8 p.m. to 9 a.m.
- Full closure of northbound I-25 off-ramp (mile point 135)
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
- Ongoing northbound and southbound left lane closure at South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road, in place for approximately five months
- Ongoing northbound auxiliary lane closure on South Academy Boulevard between Hartford Street and Fountain Creek. This auxiliary lane will be closed through mid-December
- Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road to north side of roadway 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 (U.S. Highway 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 U.S. Highway 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
