Due to continued weather impacts, the temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and U.S. 85/87 has now been rescheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, to allow crews to set safety barriers and place new lane striping. A detour will be in place:
Southbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will exit onto Bradley Road, travel east to Main Street, travel south to U.S. 85/87, and travel north to re-enter South Academy Boulevard.
The southbound Interstate 25 on-ramp from westbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 3 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 8, to allow crews to install drainage pipes across the roadway. A detour will be in place:
Traffic intending to enter southbound I-25 from westbound South Academy Boulevard and from the I-25 southbound off-ramp will continue west to Magrath Avenue, travel south and turn onto eastbound South Academy Boulevard, and continue east to enter I-25 South.
There will be various mobile lane closures on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Milton Proby Parkway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, to allow crews to place new lane striping as needed.
There will be various lane closures controlled by flaggers on east- and westbound Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, to shift safety barriers to the south to allow crews to perform earthwork.
A shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek towards the center is ongoing to allow crews to work on the outside lanes, install drainage pipes, and construct a noise barrier. This alignment will be in place approximately until spring 2025.
Motorists are also advised that the shift of the northbound I-25 off-ramp to northbound South Academy Boulevard to a new alignment is ongoing and will have a short acceleration lane.
Motorists are advised to use caution at all entrance ramps as merge lengths have been shortened. In particular, motorists should be prepared to stop on the U.S. 85/87 on-ramp to eastbound South Academy and the Bradley Road on-ramp to eastbound South Academy since merge area is reduced.
All lanes of Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard are shifted to the center of the roadway ongoing to allow crews to perform work on new bridge piers.
These closures are weather dependent and subject to change.
Traffic Impacts
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
Various mobile lane closures on north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Milton Proby Parkway from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.
Various lane closures controlled by flaggers on east- and westbound Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3.
Temporary full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US 85/87 rescheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. Use detour route.
The southbound I-25 on-ramp from westbound South Academy Boulevard will be temporarily closed at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7 to 3 p.m. to Saturday, Feb. 8. Use detour route.
Ongoing shift of east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard between I-25 and Fountain Creek to middle until spring 2025.
Ongoing full closure of existing north- and southbound South Academy Boulevard on-ramps from U.S. 85/87 and shift to temporary on-ramp.
Ongoing shift of all lanes on Bradley Road under South Academy Boulevard bridge.
Project Overview
South Academy Boulevard Widening Project
The improvements to South Academy Boulevard in this project are located on South Academy Boulevard at the southern mile and a half of this arterial road from the I-25 interchange, crossing US 85/87, and continuing to the road's approach to Milton Proby Parkway (which connects to Powers Boulevard/CO 21). Construction focuses on widening an approximately 1.5-mile section of South Academy Boulevard from two lanes to three in each direction to alleviate recurring congestion. The project includes improved drainage facilities, lighting, striping, and expanded shoulders, modified merge lanes, sound walls and bridgework. The project is expected to be complete by early 2026. This project is managed by El Paso County.
Safety Benefits
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 twenty years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.