Overnight lane and ramp closures are scheduled for South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs starting Sunday, August 24, as part of ongoing construction to widen the roadway. The work will affect northbound lanes between Venetucci Boulevard and Interstate 25 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Asphalt paving operations will require closure of the on-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard from Pikes Peak State College parking lot B, as well as the on-ramp to southbound I-25 from northbound South Academy Boulevard. Detours will be provided.
Additional full overnight closures of northbound South Academy Boulevard are planned between I-25 and US Highway 85/87 on August 24, August 27, and August 28 during the same hours for road milling and paving. Traffic will be detoured via southbound I-25 to Mesa Ridge Parkway (exit 132A), then east to US 85/87, before reconnecting with South Academy through local roads.
Closures under I-25 are set for August 25 and August 26 at night for paving activities. Another segment between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway will also see full closures on those dates for road milling, with traffic rerouted along alternative streets.
On Monday morning, August 25, a right lane closure is planned on the southbound I-25 off-ramp at South Academy Boulevard from 8 to 11 a.m. so crews can conduct electrical work.
Bradley Road beneath the South Academy bridge will be reduced to one alternating lane managed by flaggers from Monday through Friday, August 29 between 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., due to slope paving efforts.
The current shift of east- and westbound lanes on South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek toward the center remains in place until September next year. Project operations will pause at noon Friday through Labor Day weekend in recognition of the holiday.
Drivers should expect narrowed lanes over the southbound bridge above US Highway 85/87 due to continued bridgework. The realignment of entrance ramps means merge lengths have been shortened; motorists are urged to use caution at all entrances. A new on-ramp has opened from US Highway 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.
All closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.
The project aims to widen about one-and-a-half miles of South Academy Boulevard—from two lanes each way to three—to address recurring congestion issues in this corridor near key interchanges including I-25, US Highway 85/87, and Milton Proby Parkway (connecting with Powers Boulevard/CO21). Work includes upgrades such as improved drainage systems, lighting, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, striping improvements, and significant bridgework. El Paso County manages the project which is expected to finish by early 2026.
According to officials: “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 Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP) is part of a broader initiative led by Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) focused on improving mobility along key routes including Interstate 25 (I-25), Colorado Highway 94 (CO 94), Charter Oak Ranch Road—and especially supporting strategic movement among major military installations such as Fort Carson; Peterson Space Force Base; Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station; Schriever Space Force Base in El Paso County [https://www.codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements]. The program receives partial funding from an $18 million BUILD grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
CDOT states: “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 redundancy of strategic movement between nationally significant El Paso County military installations…”
For updates or alerts regarding construction impacts related to this project visit codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements or text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665.
