Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program Updates for Week of Sept. 21, 2025

Travel Advisory

El Paso County - MAMSIP - South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

Colorado Springs - The ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive to allow crews to install traffic signals and islands are planned to end on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

• The two left turn lanes for the Interstate 25 northbound on-ramp (MP 135 ramp) has been reduced to one left turn lane, as well as other auxiliary lanes and shoulders.
• There will still be two thru lanes on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard in this area.

Following that, there will be ongoing lane reductions on southbound South Academy Boulevard between Coventry Drive and the I-25 southbound on-ramp (MP 135 ramp) starting on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. to allow crews to continue traffic signal and island installations. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place through October 12.

• The two left turn lanes for the I-25 southbound on-ramp (MP 135 ramp) will be reduced to one left turn lane.
• There will still be two thru lanes on southbound South Academy Boulevard in this area.

Delays should be expected, particularly during peak travel times. Drivers should allow extra time, maintain safe following distances, and merge early and safely when approaching the work zone. Drivers planning to access I-25 southbound will need to move to the center lane well in advance.

There will be a southbound I-25 off-ramp closure at South Academy Boulevard on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for traffic light work. Also, the southbound South Academy Boulevard left turn lanes to southbound I-25 will be closed. Detours will be in place:

• Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic intending to enter southbound I-25 will continue west to B Street, travel south on Magrath Avenue, turn east onto South Academy, and continue to enter I-25 South.
• Southbound I-25 traffic intending to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard will travel west to B Street, travel south on Magrath Avenue, turn east onto northbound South Academy.

There will also be alternating lane closures on southbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for traffic light work.

There will be a southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure over the CanAm Highway on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to remove safety barriers.

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 November 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 has a short acceleration lane. This alignment is planned to end on Friday, Sept. 26.

These closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

• Ongoing lane reductions on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive through Friday, Sept. 26. Plan for delays.
• Ongoing lane reductions on southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive starting Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Plan for delays.
• Southbound I-25 off-ramp closure at South Academy Boulevard on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above.
• Southbound South Academy Boulevard left turn lane closures to southbound I-25 on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Use detour route as described above.
• Alternating lane closures on southbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
• Southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane closure over the CanAm Highway on Friday, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.
• Ongoing shift of all lanes of Bradley Road to the north under South Academy Boulevard bridge.
• Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek until November 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!