Lane reductions and closures are set to continue along South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs as part of the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program. Beginning Thursday, September 4 at 1 a.m., both north- and southbound lanes between Venetucci Boulevard and Coventry Drive will be reduced to allow for the installation of traffic signals and islands. This lane configuration is expected to remain until September 2025.
Northbound South Academy Boulevard’s two left turn lanes for the I-25 northbound on-ramp will be reduced to one, along with reductions in other auxiliary lanes and shoulders. However, two through lanes will remain open in each direction. Motorists are advised to expect delays during peak travel times, plan extra time for their commutes, maintain safe following distances, and merge early when approaching work zones.
Overnight full closures are scheduled for several sections of Northbound South Academy Boulevard during the week of September 2 for asphalt paving and road milling operations. These include:
– Under I-25 on Tuesday, September 2 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
– Between US 85/87 and Milton Proby Parkway on Tuesday, September 2; Friday, September 5; and Saturday, September 6 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
– Between I-25 and US Highway 85/87 on Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4 from 7 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
Detour routes will be posted during these closures.
Southbound I-25 at South Academy Boulevard will have alternating lane closures on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning for concrete grinding work. In addition, east- and westbound lanes between I-25 and Fountain Creek remain shifted toward the center of the roadway so crews can continue working on outside lanes—a condition expected until September 2025.
Motorists should use caution due to narrowed lanes over the southbound bridge at US Highway 85/87 while bridgework continues. There is also an ongoing shift in alignment for entrance ramps with shortened merge lengths throughout this area.
The widening project aims to expand about one-and-a-half miles of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction between the I-25 interchange through its approach toward Milton Proby Parkway (which connects with Powers Boulevard/CO21). Additional improvements include new drainage facilities, lighting upgrades, striping changes, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, and bridge enhancements. The project is managed by El Paso County with completion anticipated by early 2026.
According to CDOT’s safety assessment conducted along this corridor, these transportation improvements are designed as mitigation measures intended “to reduce crashes, improve infrastructure, and address physical deficiencies that contribute to crashes in the corridor.” Over a twenty-year period after completion across all four MAMSIP corridors—including I-25—officials estimate fewer deaths and injuries due to these upgrades.
“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 program supports economic stability by improving mobility along key corridors including I-25 (a major north-south route), Colorado Highway 94 (an east-west connector), South Academy Boulevard (serving military installations), and Charter Oak Ranch Road (providing base access). It receives partial funding through an $18 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants). The improvements aim not only at local benefit but also enhance strategic movement among Fort Carson (https://home.army.mil/carson/), Peterson Space Force Base (https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/), Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/About/Cheyenne-Mountain-Space-Force-Station/), and Schriever Space Force Base (https://www.schriever.spaceforce.mil/)—all considered nationally significant military installations located within El Paso County.
Project activities will pause at noon Friday through Monday in observance of Labor Day weekend.
