Colorado Springs September 07, 2023 – The Colorado Department of Transportation, CDOT, will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard under Interstate 25, allowing northbound I-25 traffic to detour using on- and off-ramps to continue on I-25 at South Academy Boulevard as part of the MAMSIP bridge reconstruction project. I-25 bridge demolition work over South Academy Boulevard is planned to begin Friday night, September 8 through Monday morning, September 11. These closures are necessary for the safety of the traveling public. All lanes will reopen at 6:30 a.m.
Full closure of eastbound South Academy Boulevard: Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 6:30 a.m.
Full closure of westbound South Academy Boulevard: Friday, September 8, 7 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 4:30 a.m.
Re-route traffic on northbound I-25 using off- and on-ramps South Academy Boulevard: Friday, September 8, 8 p.m. through Monday, September 11, 5:00 a.m.
Detours will be in place:
- Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to Colorado Highway 16 (exit 132A), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 north to South Academy Boulevard
- Westbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted north on I-25 to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drive (exit 138), where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard
- Northbound I-25 traffic will take exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue north.
Furthermore, The El Paso County of Public Works will start work on Saturday night, September 9. Drivers can anticipate a left lane and middle lane closure on northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard over Bradley Road for setting temporary concrete barrier and striping. Work is expected to begin at 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
Also, Bradley Road under the South Academy Boulevard bridge will be closed nightly Tuesday, September 12 through Thursday, September 14, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., for demolition of bridge overhang structures. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public.
Detours will be in place:
- Eastbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted south on South Academy Boulevard, exit onto the CanAm Highway, turn around and re-enter South Academy northbound to the Bradley Road exit, and turn east.
- Westbound Bradley Road traffic will be diverted to Hancock Expressway, turn north and turn west onto Milton Proby Parkway, turn south and travel to the Bradley Road exit, or turn north to continue on northbound South Academy Boulevard.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
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.
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