Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program - Week of Nov. 13

Travel Advisory

November 11, 2022 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime closure set for South Academy Boulevard at Exit 135

Colorado Springs - The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction will temporarily close South Academy Boulevard under I-25 next week. Traffic will be diverted to the off- and on-ramps. Minimal delays are expected. Nighttime closures are scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 16 on eastbound South Academy Boulevard, Thursday, Nov. 17 on westbound South Academy Boulevard, and on Friday, Nov. 18 a full nighttime closure of South Academy Boulevard under I-25 at exit 135. A detour will be in place. The closures are necessary so construction crews can perform removal of the overhang of the new I-25 bridge. In addition, on Monday, Nov. 14, there will be a nighttime mobile closure on I-25 at the on-and off-ramps at mile points 128/132/135 to repair glare screens and grind bumps on the ramps.

on Monday, Nov. 14, there will be a nighttime mobile closure on I-25 at the on-and off-ramps at mile points 128/132/135 to repair glare screens and grind bumps on the ramps.

Head-to-head traffic continues on I-25, separated by temporary barrier with 11 ft. lanes and 2 ft. shoulders. This traffic configuration will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Normal working hours will be 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday. The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 55 MPH. Slight traffic delays are expected and motorists are urged to use extra caution while traveling in the new traffic pattern. Fines will be doubled through the construction zone.

A Courtesy Patrol will be driving the work zone and will respond to incidents when notified. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and holidays. Flagging operations continue with one-way traffic on Charter Oak Ranch Road and Santa Fe as crews work on the retention pond and retaining walls located south of the roadway. Use caution in the area, construction equipment will be entering and exiting the roadways.

There will be flaggers on location with alternating single lane closure east- and westbound on CO 94, Tuesday, Nov. 15, and Wednesday, Nov. 16 during daytime hours to accommodate paving activities. An alternate route is advised. The right lane closure eastbound on CO 94 is still in place for this week as construction crews perform work on the traffic signals and apply seeding to the new roadside landscape. A full closure is still in place at CO 94 and North Blaney Road. Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change.

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between MP 127 and 136 - Night Work

  • Monday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., mobile closure of I-25 between MP 127 to 132 and the on- and off-ramps at MP 128/132/135
  • Wednesday, Nov. 16, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., full closure eastbound South Academy Boulevard, under I-25 at exit 135
  • Thursday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. full closure westbound South Academy Boulevard, under I-25 at exit 135
  • Friday, Nov. 18, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. full closure westbound South Academy Boulevard, under I-25 at exit 135
  • Friday, Nov. 18, 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., full closure eastbound South Academy Boulevard, under I-25 at exit 135

Colorado Highway 94

  • Flagging operations east- and westbound, Tuesday, Nov. 15, and Wednesday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for asphalt paving activities
  • Single lane closure eastbound, Sunday, Nov. 13 through Saturday Nov. 19, for signal work and seeding activities
  • A full closure is in place on North Blaney Road. Vehicles will not be able to access North Blaney Road from CO 94 or access CO 94 from North Blaney Road
  • South Blaney Road has been reopened and the Jug Handle detour removed – Jug Handle will remain closed till the SH 94 / Blaney Road traffic signal is operational
  • Final Roadway striping should be completed by Nov. 12, 2022
  • A traffic shift is in place
  • Speed limit is reduced to 50 MPH

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 (CO 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 CO 16

Charter Oak Ranch Road is accessible off Interstate 25 via Santa Fe Avenue (CO 85) and is the only access to Gate 19 of Fort Carson, the region’s largest employer. Project improvements include:

  • Improve infrastructure
  • Enhance connectivity and efficiency for Charter Oak Ranch Road, the entry point to Fort Carson’s Gate 19 from the I-25 corridor

Colorado Highway 94

  • Safety and efficiency improvements with the addition of passing lanes, turn lanes, road widening, and the installation of fiber on CO 94, which connects Schriever Space Force Base with Peterson Space Fore Base and central Colorado Springs.

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 Information

For additional information about this project:

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:

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!