New traffic pattern begins for South Academy Boulevard roadwork in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- A new traffic pattern started Tuesday morning at the end of South Academy Boulevard, reducing lanes on the Bradley Road bridge from three in each direction, to two during the day and to one at night.

El Paso County officials said that the change will last around five months, as part of a continuing project to widen South Academy in that area -- from Interstate 25 to Milton E. Proby Parkway.

Crews began preparing for this work last weekend and Monday by placing road barriers, re-striping traffic lanes and putting detours in place.

This phase of construction work will also affect Bradley Road under the bridge; it will be closed overnight this week in preparation for demolition and replacement.

Officials ask drivers to slow down and be alert for workers in the construction zone.

"This is a long corridor with multiple bridges we're working on," said Brett Hartzell, project manager. "There's scour work that's going to happen. There's a lot of pipe going in. There's a lot of utility relocation that needs to be done. A lot to do, so that's the reason we won't finish this project until 2026."

Hartzell said that the project is one of four in progress at the end of South Academy; it, along with building two bridges on I-25 across the road and replacing old asphalt with concrete on I-25 between the road and Fountain, are part of the $161 million Military Access, Mobility & Safety Improvement Project, or "MAMSIP," to improve traffic safety and accessibility in and around local military stations.

Several of Fort Carson's major gates will benefit from this project.

For more information visit the El Paso County website.