Temporary Full Closures on Southbound I-25 Set to Disrupt Colorado Springs Traffic

Late-night drivers in Colorado Springs, brace yourselves: the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is shutting down a stretch of southbound I-25 for crucial safety upgrades. For three nights next week, motorists will need to navigate detours while crews tackle a laundry list of repairs.

What’s Closing and When?

Starting the night of July 18, southbound I-25 between South Academy Boulevard and Santa Fe Avenue — Mile Points 135 to 128 — will be completely closed. If you’re planning a late run or an early start, you’ll want to rethink your route.

Here’s the closure schedule straight from CDOT:

• July 18, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

• July 19, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

• July 20, 8 p.m. to 4:30 a.m.

One short line to sum it up: That’s three nights of full closures drivers can’t ignore.

Repairs, Guardrails, and a Safer Ride

This isn’t just a cosmetic fix. Crews will grind and seal concrete panels, replace any cracked ones, swap out damaged guardrails, and tackle other wear and tear.

It’s all part of the broader I-25 Safety Improvements project — a massive effort to make this vital corridor safer for the thousands who use it every day.

A CDOT spokesperson said the night work is intentional. “We know how vital I-25 is during the day,” they explained. “Working overnight means fewer headaches for commuters.”

Southbound Detour: Know Before You Go

Drivers will need to exit I-25 at South Academy Boulevard (Exit 135) and take a carefully planned detour. CDOT’s mapped it out like this:

• Head east on South Academy Blvd

• Divert south to US 85/87 (CanAm Hwy.)

• Rejoin I-25 at Santa Fe Avenue

A few cones and signs are all that stand between you and getting lost at 2 a.m. — so maybe check the map twice.

Northbound South Academy Won’t Be Spared Either

If you think you’re safe because you’re headed the other way, think again. There’s also a full closure of northbound South Academy Boulevard between US Highway 85/87 and Bradley Road.

That one’s happening on July 17 from 7 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. Crews will be out resetting safety barriers and adding fresh lane striping for a new traffic switch.

So, yeah — two nights, two directions, double the need to plan ahead.

Another Detour to Keep in Mind

Northbound travelers on South Academy Boulevard will be rerouted like this:

• Exit onto US 85/87

• Head south to Main Street

• Travel north to Bradley Road

• Re-enter South Academy Boulevard northbound

It’s not the worst detour in the world, but it could add a chunk of time to late-night commutes — especially for folks who don’t check the schedule first.

CDOT’s Big Picture

The I-25 Safety Improvements project has been grinding along for months, aiming to fix aging pavement and boost guardrail strength in high-traffic stretches. For drivers, it’s a short-term hassle that’s supposed to mean smoother lanes and fewer bumps down the line.

One local truck driver put it plainly: “Better to get it done now than be stuck dodging potholes come winter.”

Nobody loves detours, but this work is meant to keep everyone safer — so maybe set the alarm ten minutes earlier and keep the coffee hot.