Various lane closures are scheduled for South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs as part of ongoing improvement efforts. On Monday, December 22, from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday, December 23, from 7 a.m. to noon, both northbound and southbound lanes between Venetucci Boulevard and Milton Proby Parkway will experience closures. Crews will be installing signage and completing roadway, traffic signal, and lighting work during these times. Despite the closures, two lanes of traffic will remain open in each direction. Drivers are advised to follow posted speed limits, keep safe distances from other vehicles, and stay alert for workers and equipment.
Project operations will pause at noon on Tuesday, December 23 through Sunday, January 4, 2026 to reduce potential traffic delays during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Emergency operations may occur if necessary.
The South Academy Boulevard Widening Project is focused on expanding a roughly 1.5-mile section of the road from two lanes to three in each direction to help address recurring congestion issues. The improvements extend from the I-25 interchange across US 85/87 toward Milton E. Proby Parkway (which connects with Powers Boulevard/CO 21). The project also includes upgraded drainage systems, lighting enhancements, new striping and expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls, and bridgework. El Paso County manages this project with completion expected by early 2026.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), a safety assessment was conducted for this corridor to identify crash causes and physical deficiencies contributing to accidents. CDOT stated that “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 two decades, officials estimate that these upgrades will lead to fewer deaths and injuries along four major corridors included in the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP).
CDOT has launched a broader program aimed at improving mobility along I-25, Colorado Highway 94, South Academy Boulevard, and Charter Oak Ranch Road—routes critical for connecting military installations such as Fort Carson and Peterson Space Force Base in El Paso County. This initiative is partly funded by an $18 million BUILD grant from the US Department of Transportation.
More information about these projects can be found on CDOT’s website at codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements.
