(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced there will be overnight closures on Academy Boulevard starting Wednesday, Aug. 14.

CDOT will temporarily close east- and westbound South Academy Boulevard lanes under Interstate 25 (I-25) and detour north- and southbound I-25 using on and off-ramps at South Academy Boulevard as part of the bridge reconstruction project.

Construction will contain the application of polyester overlay and other bridge deck work at South Academy Boulevard as part of the reconstruction project. Construction will continue until Saturday, Aug. 24.

Full closures of eastbound South Academy Boulevard:

Wednesday, Aug. 14, and Thursday, Aug.15, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Full closures of westbound South Academy Boulevard

Wednesday, Aug. 14, and Thursday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17, 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Traffic will be rerouted on southbound I-25 using South Academy Boulevard ramps on Wednesday, Aug. 1 from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. and Thursday, Aug. 15, from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m, Friday, Aug 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17 from 8 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. Northbound I-25 traffic will be rerouted using South Academy Boulevard ramps on Thursday, Aug. 15 from 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., Friday, and Saturday, Aug, 16-17 from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Detours will be in place:

Eastbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted south on I-25 to Colorado Highway 16 — Exit 132A — where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 north to South Academy Boulevard.

Westbound South Academy Boulevard traffic will be diverted north on I-25 to Lake Avenue/South Circle Drove — Exit 138 — where they will turn around and re-enter I-25 south to South Academy Boulevard.

North- and southbound I-2 traffic will take the exit 135 off-ramp and re-enter the on-ramp to continue.

There will also be alternating left and right lane closures on southbound I-25 during nighttime hours on Monday, Aug. 12 through Friday, Aug. 16 to allow crews to install drainage features.

I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue

Monday, Aug. 12, and Tuesday, Aug. 13, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

I-25 between Mesa Ridge Parkway and Santa Fe Avenue

Wednesday, Aug. 14, and Thursday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Friday, Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17, 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 60 miles per hour. Motorists should expect traffic delays of 10-15 minutes. CDOT reminds drivers to use extra caution while traveling in the area, fines will be doubled through the construction zone.

A temporary closure of the on-ramp from Hartford Street to northbound South Academy Boulevard will tentatively end on Wednesday, Aug. 13.

Alternating left and right lane closures on northbound South Academy Boulevard between Fountain Creek and Bradley Road are tentatively planned for Saturday, Aug. 17 from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. for utility and drainage work.

This 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 CO 16.

The project will be widening an approximately 1.5-mile section of South Academy to alleviate recurring congestion. In a previous safety assessment conducted by CDOT, the project is estimated to result in fewer deaths, injuries, and crashes on the four Military Access, Mobility, and Safety Improvement Program (MAMSIP) corridors.

The South Academy Boulevard Widening Project is expected to be completed by early 2026.