Travel Advisory

El Paso County - MAMSIP - South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs - There will be various northbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closures between Interstate 25 and Milton Proby Parkway overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to remove safety barriers. Motorists should follow signage and plan for delays.

There will be a temporary full closure of the southbound I-25 off-ramp to westbound South Academy Boulevard on Monday, Aug. 4 through Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for earthwork grading and electrical work near the roadway. The westbound auxiliary lane will be closed as well.

A detour will be in place:

• Traffic exiting southbound I-25 to westbound South Academy will continue straight 200 feet and turn hard right at the intersection

The southbound US Highway 85/87 on-ramp to southbound South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the inside on Monday, Aug. 4, 8 to 11 a.m. to allow crews to perform electrical work near the roadway.

A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until September 2025.

Motorists should use caution as lanes will be narrowed across the southbound bridge over US 85/87 so crews can continue bridge work.

Motorists are advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and has a short acceleration lane.

Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. There is a new on-ramp from US 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.

These closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

• Various northbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closures between I-25 and Milton Proby Parkway overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 6 and Thursday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
• Temporary full closure of the southbound I-25 off-ramp to westbound South Academy Boulevard on Monday, Aug. 4 through Friday, Aug. 8, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Use detour route as described above
• The southbound US 85/87 on-ramp to southbound South Academy Boulevard will be shifted to the inside on Monday, Aug. 4, 8 to 11 a.m
• Ongoing shift of all lanes of Bradley Road to the north under South Academy Boulevard bridge
• Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp
• Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until August 2025.

Project Overview

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 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 20 years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.

Project Contact Information

• Website: codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
• Email: [email protected]
• Hotline: 719-800-2162
• Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665

About the 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.

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to "know before you go." Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new free COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!