There will be a series of overnight closures and lane reductions on South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs during the week of October 12, 2025, as part of ongoing work under the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP). The closures are intended to allow for traffic signal work, lane striping operations, and continued construction activities related to the widening of South Academy Boulevard.
A full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between Interstate 25 and Bradley Road is scheduled for Thursday, October 16 from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. During this time, detours will redirect traffic via southbound I-25 to Mesa Ridge Parkway, then east to CanAm Highway, northeast onto Main Street, west onto Bradley Road, and back north onto South Academy Boulevard. Traffic intending to enter northbound South Academy Boulevard from I-25 will also follow this detour route.
On Friday, October 17 from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., southbound South Academy Boulevard will be fully closed between Milton Proby Parkway and the CanAm Highway for lane striping. Detours will guide drivers along Milton Proby Parkway to Hancock Expressway and Main Street before returning them to South Academy Boulevard via CanAm Highway.
In addition to these full closures, there will be alternating lane closures in both directions on South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway overnight from Tuesday, October 14 through Thursday, October 16. Brief intermittent ramp closures at the I-25/South Academy interchange are also planned during these nights.
Ongoing lane reductions continue on southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive for traffic signal and island installations through Sunday, October 12. A shift of east- and westbound lanes between I-25 and Fountain Creek remains in place until November 2025 so crews can work on outside lanes.
Drivers are advised that delays should be expected throughout these periods—especially during peak travel times—and should follow posted detour signage. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recommends allowing extra time for travel, maintaining safe following distances, and merging early when approaching work zones.
The project focuses on widening approximately 1.5 miles of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction near its southern end at the I-25 interchange through its approach to Milton Proby Parkway. Additional improvements include drainage upgrades, lighting enhancements, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, and bridgework. The goal is to reduce congestion and improve safety; CDOT conducted a safety assessment which identified recurring crash issues in the corridor that these changes aim to address.
El Paso County manages the project with completion expected by early 2026. Over a twenty-year period following completion across all four MAMSIP corridors—including I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road—the improvements are projected to decrease deaths, injuries, and crashes.
The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program is partially funded by an $18 million BUILD grant from the US Department of Transportation. The program aims not only at improving transportation efficiency but also supporting economic stability by strengthening connections among major military installations in El Paso County such as Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base.
For more information about the project or updates on road closures visit codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements or register for alerts by texting MAMSIP to 888-970-9665.
