Heads up, Colorado Springs commuters—upcoming construction could alter your plans as early as next week. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has announced a series of closures along South Academy Boulevard as part of the ongoing widening project, which aims to ease the historical congestion along this vital artery. According to the project update, the work involves lane restriping and rehabilitation of the Fountain Creek bridge deck and curbs, aiming for a smoother and safer road experience.
For drivers navigating southbound on South Academy Boulevard, expect a full closure between US Highway 85/87 and Coventry Drive come July 1st from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Detours will redirect you via US 85/87, B Street, and Magrath Avenue; however, it's best to budget extra travel time to account for any unforeseen delays. Lane reductions in this stretch are scheduled to end on July 2 at 4:30 a.m., restoring full access to all lanes—if the weather plays nice.
For the optimists, hoping their Monday evening might avoid traffic disturbances, CDOT has penciled in a contingency plan. Necessary paving operations could trigger a range of additional overnight closures tomorrow, including a possible shutdown of southbound South Academy Boulevard under I-25 and intermittent ramp closures at the I-25 interchange. Traffic will be rerouted, with suggested alternatives provided for both southbound and northbound I-25 travelers.
In consideration of the Independence Day celebrations, construction crews will take a short leave, pausing operations from noon on July 3 through July 7. This will hopefully clear the decks for holiday travelers and reduce the headache of navigating detours amid the festivities. The ongoing shift of traffic towards the outer lanes on US 85/87 will remain unchanged throughout July 2025, allowing crews to continue with the necessary bridge work undisturbed.
To ease their journey, travelers are encouraged to use CDOT resources, such as COtrip.org for road conditions and the COtrip Planner app for on-the-go updates, and to sign up for alerts that may save them from unexpected roadblocks.
