Denver City Wire

Travel Advisory

February 24, 2023 - Southeastern Colorado - Nighttime traffic switch with closure at northbound I-25 on- and off-ramps to State Highway 16 (Mesa Ridge Parkway)

Colorado Springs —­­ The Colorado Department of Transportation and contractor SEMA Construction continue work on improvements on I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue (mile point 135-127). On Wednesday night, Feb. 28, northbound traffic will shift to the west to allow the contractor to work on outside of the current northbound lanes between Mile Points 130-134. The northbound on- and off-ramps at Mesa Ridge Parkway will also be closed, and there will be also be alternating left and right lane closures to perform the traffic switch. Use signed detours.

In addition, there will be nightly left lane closures Sunday, Feb. 26 through Tuesday, Feb. 28 on northbound I-25 between MP 131.5-133 to shift barrier. There will also be a daytime mobile operations Monday, Feb. 27 to clean and repair traffic control devices damaged by the recent snow events.

The right lane closure eastbound on Colorado Highway 94 is still in place for this week as construction crews perform electrical work on traffic signals. On Thursday night, Mar. 2, CO 94 will be reduced to one lane with alternating east- and westbound traffic controlled by flaggers so crews can install traffic signal arms at CO 94 and Blaney Road. Expect delays and plan additional time to travel through the area. Also, there will be flaggers posted along CO 94 on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to assist with the installation of light poles. Plan for occasional traffic slowdowns. 

A full closure of North Blaney Road is still in place at CO 94 and Blaney Road. South Blaney Road has been re-opened. Use caution accessing from the one open, CO 94, eastbound lane, as the climbing lane / turn lane remains closed. Construction schedules are weather-dependent and subject to change. 

Traffic Impacts

I-25 between MP 127 and 135Nighttime closures:

• Sun., Feb. 26, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m. northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 131.5-133
• Mon., Feb. 27, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. northbound I-25 right lane closure between MP 127-129
• Mon., Feb. 27, 7 p.m. – 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 131.5-133
• Mon., Feb 27, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. southbound I-25 right lane closure MP 134-133
• Tues., Feb. 28, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. northbound I-25 right lane closure between MP 127-129
• Tues., Feb. 28, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. northbound I-25 left lane closure between MP 131.5-133
• Tues., Feb 27, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. southbound I-25 right lane closure MP 134-133
• Wed., Mar. 1, 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. full closure of northbound I-25 on- and off-ramps at CO 16 (MP 132).
• Use signed detours.
• Wed., Mar. 1, 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. northbound I-25 alternating left and right lanes closures between MP 132-135 for a traffic switch.
• Thurs., Mar. 2: This is a contingency night. Based on weather/temperatures the project team may choose to use this night to complete the traffic switch
• 7 p.m. – 5 a.m. full closure of northbound I-25 on- and off-ramps at CO 16 (MP 132). Use signed detours.
• 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. northbound I-25 alternating left and right lanes closures between MP 132-135 for a traffic switch.

Daytime closures:

• Mon, Feb. 27, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Mobile operations northbound and southbound
  Colorado Highway 94
• Single lane closure eastbound, Sun., Feb. 26 through Sat., Mar. 4
• Tue., Feb. 28, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m., flagging operations with minimal delays
• Thu., Mar. 2, 8 p.m. – 5 a.m., CO 94 reduced to one lane with alternating east- and westbound traffic controlled by flaggers between MP 6-8
• A full closure is in place on North Blaney Road. Vehicles will not be able to access North Blaney Road from CO 94 or access CO 94 from North Blaney Road.
• South Blaney Road has been re-opened. Use caution accessing from the one open, CO 94, eastbound lane as the climbing lane / turn lane remains closed.
• A traffic shift is in place.
• Speed limit 50 MPH.

Project Overview | Interstate-25 – Safety and Efficiency Improvements

The improvements to I-25 addressed in this project are located along an approximately 7.5-mile segment of south I-25 beginning at South Academy Boulevard and extending to the Santa Fe Avenue (CO 85/87) exit at Fountain (MP 128), which exits to Gate 19 of Fort Carson. The project includes:

• Replacement of two bridges crossing over South Academy Boulevard
• Widening of both inside and outside shoulders and installing safety improvements
• Concrete surface treatment overlay to provide an improved riding surface
• Installation of median barrier
• Rehab and widening work on four bridges
• Installation of an I-25 southbound deceleration lane at the interchange with Colorado Highway 16

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 20 years, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four MAMSIP corridors.

Project Information

For additional information about this project:

• Website: codot.gov/projects/militaryaccesssafetyimprovements 
• Email: I25CO94.mamsip@gmail.com
• Hotline: 719-800-2162
• Register for Alerts: Text MAMSIP to 888-970-9665

Know Before You Go

Travelers are urged to “know before you go.” Gather information about weather forecasts and anticipated travel impacts and current road conditions prior to hitting the road. CDOT resources include:

• Road conditions and travel information: COtrip.org
• Download the COtrip Planner app: bit.ly/COtripapp
• Sign up for project or travel alerts: bit.ly/COnewsalerts
• See scheduled construction lane closures: bit.ly/laneclosures
• Connect with @ColoradoDOT on social media: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Remember: Slow For The Cone Zone

The following tips are to help you stay safe while traveling through maintenance and construction work zones.

• Do not speed in work zones. Obey the posted speed limits.
• Stay Alert! Expect the unexpected.
• Watch for workers. Drive with caution.
• Don't change lanes unnecessarily.
• Avoid using mobile devices such as phones while driving in work zones.
• Turn on headlights so that workers and other drivers can see you.
• Be especially alert at night while driving in work zones.
• Expect delays, especially during peak travel times.
• Allow ample space between you and the car in front of you.
• Anticipate lane shifts and merge when directed to do so.
• Be patient!

Download the COtrip App!

The new FREE COtrip Planner mobile app was designed to meet the growing trend of information on mobile and tablet devices for the traveling public. The COtrip Planner app provides statewide, real-time traffic information, and works on mobile devices that operate on the iOS and Android platforms. Visit the Google Play Store (Android devices) or the Apple Store (iOS devices) to download!