Attention, Colorado Springs drivers: major traffic updates are on the horizon as the Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP) gears up to make significant infrastructure changes starting the week of May 4. According to CDOT, commuters can expect a series of roadway closures and detours that will surely impact travel plans.
Specifically, there's a rescheduled full closure of southbound South Academy Boulevard between Bradley Road and US Highway 85/87. Set to take place from 7 p.m. on May 8 until the early hours of May 9, the closure is to facilitate essential work such as barrier relocation and new striping for a lane shift over US 85/87. Motorists will need to navigate detours via Bradley Road, Main Street, and northwest along US 85/87 to rejoin South Academy Boulevard. These adjustments are necessary to continue construction on the bridge that spans the highway below.
But that's not the only disruption, a temporary closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 is also planned for the nights of May 8 and 9 to install drainage pipes. The detours will send eastbound traffic along a circuitous route involving I-25, Mesa Ridge Parkway, and Magrath Avenue, before rejoining I-25 north and exiting at 135. Additionally, US 85/87 will see traffic shifted into head-to-head configurations under the South Academy bridge for bridge painting operations, emphasizing the need for heightened caution in the cone zone.
It’s also important to note the ongoing shifts that will be happening around South Academy Boulevard, like the narrowing of lanes on the southbound bridge over US Highway 85/87 for continuing bridge work. As detailed by CDOT, "motorists should use caution as lanes will be narrowed across the southbound bridge over US Highway 85/87 so crews can continue bridge work." These traffic adjustments are part of a greater scheme to widen South Academy Boulevard from two to three lanes in each direction, tackling the problem of recurring congestion and enhancing overall roadway safety.
