Overnight traffic pacing and intermittent ramp closures are scheduled for South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs as part of ongoing construction work. The Colorado Springs Police Department will control mobile traffic pacing operations on both northbound and southbound South Academy Boulevard between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway. These activities will take place overnight on Sunday, October 19, and Monday, October 20, from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., to allow for testing and inspection of new asphalt pavement. Drivers are advised to watch for signage indicating closures or lane shifts and to plan for possible delays.
Additionally, the southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramp from Coventry Drive to I-25 will have a right shoulder closure on Monday, October 20, from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for electrical work near the roadway. Ongoing lane reductions on southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Coventry Drive will continue for traffic signal and island installations, with this alignment expected to remain in place through October 27.
A left lane closure will be in effect on southbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25, while two through lanes will remain open. The northbound South Academy Boulevard left turn lane to enter the northbound I-25 on-ramp will also be closed west of the southbound I-25 on-ramps. Motorists should expect delays, especially during peak travel times, and are encouraged to allow extra time, maintain safe following distances, and merge early and safely when approaching the work zone. Those accessing I-25 southbound should move to the center lane in advance.
There is an ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek toward the center to allow crews to work on outside lanes. This alignment is expected to remain until November 2025. Lanes will also be narrowed across the northbound bridge over US 85/87 for continued bridge work. All closures are weather-dependent and subject to change.
The improvements are part of the South Academy Boulevard Widening Project, which focuses on widening a 1.5-mile section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction to reduce congestion. The project also includes upgrades to drainage facilities, lighting, striping, expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, and bridgework. Completion is anticipated by early 2026. El Paso County manages this project.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted a safety assessment for the corridor to identify safety issues and analyze crash causes. 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. 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, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP) aims to deliver more efficient and safer mobility along I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road. The program is partially funded by an $18 million BUILD grant from the US Department of Transportation. These improvements are intended to strengthen strategic movement between El Paso County military installations including Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, and Schriever Space Force Base. More information can be found on the CDOT website at codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements.
