A image of an empty road with text that reads road work alert. News release

June 03, 2024 – Northbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed between US 85/87 and Bradley Road on Friday, June 7 at 7 p.m. until Monday, June 10 at 6 a.m. to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway.

A detour will be in place:

· Northbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit to US 85/87, travel south and turn left onto Fontaine Boulevard, travel east and turn left onto Grinnell Boulevard, travel north and turn left onto Bradley Road, travel west and turn right onto the on-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard.

A shift to a temporary on-ramp for drivers entering northbound South Academy Boulevard from US 85/87 is ongoing as crews will perform work on roadway, drainage and utilities in the area. The ramp lane width will be reduced to 12 feet and speeds will be reduced to 30 MPH. This closure will be in effect approximately until Fall 2024.

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 and the Bradley Road on-ramp to eastbound South Academy since merge area is greatly reduced.

All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are 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.

These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.

A detour map.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between US 85/Fountain (MP 127) and South Academy Boulevard (MP 135)

  • Northbound I-25 temporary full closure between Santa Fe Avenue and Mesa Ridge Parkway. Use detour route.
    • Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m.
    • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Southbound I-25 temporary full closure between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue. Use detour route.
    • Tuesday, June 4 through Thursday, June 6, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m.
    • Friday, June 7, 8 p.m. – 10 a.m.
  • Northbound I-25 right lane closure at MP 135
    • Monday, June 3, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m.

South Academy Boulevard Widening Project

  • Friday, June 7, 7 p.m. – Sunday, June 10, 6 a.m. | Temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Bradley Road. Use detour route.
  • Ongoing full closure of existing northbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from US 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp, in place for approx. 5-6 months
  • 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

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