A temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between US 85/87 and Interstate 25 is scheduled for Sunday, November 16, from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The closure, which includes on- and off-ramps to Coventry Drive, will allow crews to install overhead signage over the roadway. If necessary, a contingency night is planned for Monday, November 17, during the same hours.
Detour routes have been established. Southbound traffic on South Academy Boulevard will be rerouted onto US 85/87, then northwest to B Street, south to Magrath Avenue, eastward back onto South Academy Boulevard. Drivers on US 85/87 intending to enter southbound South Academy Boulevard will be directed south to Mesa Ridge Parkway, west onto northbound Interstate 25, north to exit 135, and then west onto South Academy.
In addition to the full closures at night, there will be various alternating lane closures in both directions on South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway from Sunday, November 16 through Friday, November 21. These lane closures will occur between 7 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., maintaining one thru lane in each direction while crews continue work related to signage installation as well as remaining roadway, drainage, traffic signal and utilities improvements. CDOT advises drivers to obey posted speed limits and remain alert for flaggers and equipment in the work zone.
The ongoing project focuses on widening approximately a mile-and-a-half section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three lanes in each direction in order to reduce recurring congestion. Additional improvements include upgraded drainage facilities, lighting enhancements, new striping and expanded shoulders along with modified merge lanes, sound walls and bridgework. The project area extends from the I-25 interchange across US 85/87 toward Milton E. Proby Parkway (which connects with Powers Boulevard/CO 21). El Paso County manages this construction effort with an expected completion date in early 2026.
CDOT conducted a safety assessment of the corridor before initiating these improvements. The assessment aimed to identify safety problems and analyze crash causes within the area. According to CDOT: “These transportation improvements are mitigation measures to reduce crashes, improve infrastructure, and address physical deficiencies that contribute to crashes in the corridor.” The department estimates that over the next two decades these upgrades will result in fewer deaths, injuries and crashes along the four Military Access Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP) corridors.
The Military Access Mobility & Safety Improvement Program is partially funded by an $18 million BUILD grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. The program covers projects along I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard and Charter Oak Ranch Road with goals of improving mobility efficiency and safety while supporting economic stability near key military installations such as Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base.
For more information about this project or updates on construction activities visit codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements or text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665 for alerts.
