Overnight closures and detours are scheduled for South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs during the week of November 2, as part of ongoing work on the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project (MAMSIP). The closures are necessary to allow crews to perform bridge expansion joint work and other construction activities.
The northbound lanes of South Academy Boulevard between the CanAm Highway (US 85/87) and Interstate 25 will be closed overnight on Sunday, November 2, from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., with a detour in place. On Monday, November 3, the closure will shift to the stretch between CanAm Highway and Bradley Road during the same hours. Southbound closures are planned for Tuesday, November 4, between Milton Proby Parkway and CanAm Highway, and on Wednesday, November 5, between CanAm Highway and I-25. Additional contingency nights may be used on Thursday and Friday if needed.
Access to Fountain Creek Regional Trail north of South Academy Boulevard at Maxwell Street and Wilshire Drive will also be closed starting Friday, October 31 through Friday, November 7. Cyclists and pedestrians are advised to use alternative routes via Wilshire Drive, Welton Drive, Hartford Street or the pedestrian bridge over South Academy Boulevard.
Traffic under the South Academy Boulevard bridge on US 85/87 will be shifted into a head-to-head configuration in the northbound lanes on Sunday night to accommodate bridge work. Ongoing lane reductions continue between I-25 and Coventry Drive for traffic signal and island improvements through November 9.
A temporary full closure of the southbound I-25 exit slip ramp at South Academy Boulevard is set for Wednesday, November 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. due to ditch work. Drivers using this exit will need to follow posted detour instructions.
Construction includes widening approximately a mile-and-a-half section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction in order to address congestion issues. Other improvements include upgraded drainage systems, lighting enhancements, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls and bridgework. The project is managed by El Paso County with an expected completion date in early 2026.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted a safety assessment for this corridor as part of efforts to reduce crashes by addressing physical deficiencies that contribute to accidents. Over a twenty-year period following completion of these improvements across four MAMSIP corridors—including I-25—officials estimate fewer deaths, injuries and crashes will occur as a result.
The Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program is supported by an $18 million BUILD grant from the US Department of Transportation. According to CDOT’s website (https://www.codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements), these upgrades aim not only at improving mobility but also supporting economic stability by enhancing transportation links among key military installations such as Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and Schriever Space Force Base in El Paso County.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution throughout construction zones by observing speed limits and following posted detours or police directions where applicable. All scheduled closures remain subject to weather conditions or unforeseen delays.
For more information about MAMSIP projects or alerts regarding upcoming closures:
Website: codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements
Email: [email protected]
Hotline: 719-800-2162
Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665
