Repairs on 2 Academy bridges to start Nov. 29

  • Published
  • By U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
  • U.S. Air Force Academy Public Affairs
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. --  Academy commuters who regularly drive through the North Gate might think about changing their route, as repairs to two bridges on North Gate Boulevard are slated to last Nov. 29 through August.    

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project includes replacing pavement and guard rails, and constructing a safety fence above the railroad tracks along the bridges between Stadium Boulevard and the North Gate. 

The eastbound lanes of the southern bridge close Nov. 29 through May 1, with traffic directed onto the northern bridge. The westbound lanes on the northern bridge close May 29 through August, with traffic directed onto the new southern bridge.

Traffic will be limited to one lane in each direction.

Two inbound lanes will open 7-9 a.m. to ease traffic flow onto the Academy during the morning rush hour.

"We want to help give people a chance to get off the interstate and onto the base," said construction manager Peter Sturdivant.

Commuters leaving the base need to use the South Gate between 7-9 a.m., Sturdivant said.

"For these two hours, no outbound traffic will be allowed through the North Gate but at 9:01a.m., we'll go back to one lane in either direction," he said.

All four lanes on the boulevard will open in May for the cadets' and the Air Academy High School graduation ceremonies.