The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced that planned closures for both northbound and southbound Interstate 25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue, previously scheduled for Monday night, September 29, and Tuesday night, September 30, have been canceled. The interstate will remain open in both directions during those times.
Despite the cancellation of these closures, there are ongoing lane reductions on southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive. These reductions allow crews to continue work on traffic signal and island installations. This traffic alignment is expected to stay in place through October 12.
The project also includes reducing the two left turn lanes for the southbound I-25 on-ramp at mile post 135 to one lane, while maintaining two through lanes on southbound South Academy Boulevard in that area. Drivers should expect delays during peak travel periods and are advised to allow extra time and use caution when approaching work zones.
Starting Monday, September 29, the pedestrian bridge over South Academy Boulevard near Wilshire and Welton will be closed for about one week to allow for sidewalk removal and replacement on the north side of the bridge. Detours will direct cyclists and pedestrians to cross using Wilshire Drive, Welton Drive via Hartford Street, or by taking the Fountain Creek Regional Trail.
East- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek has shifted toward the center so crews can work on outside lanes. This alignment is anticipated to last until November 2025. Motorists should also note narrowed lanes across the southbound bridge over US Highway 85/87 due to ongoing bridgework.
According to CDOT, “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.”
The improvements along South Academy Boulevard cover approximately a 1.5-mile section from two lanes expanded to three in each direction from I-25 interchange crossing US Highway 85/87 up toward Milton Proby Parkway (connecting with Powers Boulevard/CO 21). Work includes new drainage facilities, lighting upgrades, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, striping enhancements, and bridge construction. El Paso County manages this project with an expected completion by early 2026.
The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP), managed by CDOT with support from an $18 million BUILD grant from the US Department of Transportation (https://www.transportation.gov/buildamerica/programs-services/build), aims to provide safer mobility along I-25 as well as Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road. The program supports economic stability by enhancing transportation links among key military installations in El Paso County: Fort Carson (https://home.army.mil/carson/index.php), Peterson Space Force Base (https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/), Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/CheyenneMountain/), and Schriever Space Force Base (https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/). The program’s goal is also to improve strategic movement redundancy between these installations.
For more information about current projects or updates related to MAMSIP visit codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements.
