07/10/2025 | Press release | Archived content
Colorado Springs - As part of the Interstate 25 Safety Improvements project, the Colorado Department of Transportation will temporarily close southbound I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (Mile Point 135 to 128) for the nights of Friday, July 18 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; Saturday, July 19 from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.; and Sunday, July 20 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Work consists of performing grinding and sealing of concrete panels, replacement of cracked panels, replacement of damaged guardrail and other project list items. This closure is necessary for the safety of the traveling public.
There will be a temporary full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US Highway 85/87 and Bradley Road on Thursday, July 17, 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. to allow crews to reset safety barriers and place lane striping for a traffic switch to the outside lane. A detour will be in place:
There will also be a temporary full closure of the southbound South Academy Boulevard off-ramp to US 85/87 on Thursday, July 17, 8:45 p.m. to 3 a.m. for crews to perform work on the bridge. The southbound South Academy Boulevard right lane over US 85/87 approaching the off-ramp will also be closed. A detour will be in place:
Overnight alternating lane closures on northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 are also scheduled on Thursday, July 17, 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. for barrier removal.
A shift of southbound South Academy Boulevard towards the outside over US 85/87 is ongoing to allow crews to continue work on the bridge. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place through July 2025.
A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes and construct a noise barrier. This alignment is anticipated to remain in place until August 2025.
All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the north to allow crews to continue work on slope paving for the bridge.
Motorists are advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and has a short acceleration lane.
Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. There is a new on-ramp from US 85/87 onto South Academy Boulevard.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
I-25 between MP 128 and 135
Nighttime closures:
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
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 Highway 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.
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.
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 the redundancy of strategic movement between the nationally significant El Paso County military installations of Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and Schriever Space Force Base.
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:
The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.
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!