The Milton E.

Proby Parkway, from Powers Boulevard to Academy Boulevard, has reached substantial completion on schedule and on budget. The project need was identified in the City of Colorado Springs’ 2004 South Metro Accessibility Study. Passage of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority one cent sales tax in 2004, which included the project on the “A” list, made design and construction a reality. The creation of Milton E. Proby Parkway addresses the concerns of increased traffic on Drennan Road and the need for a high-speed link between the Colorado Springs Airport, I-25 and downtown Colorado Springs.

The design and construction budget was $55 million and will be completed on budget. Construction began in May 2010 with an estimated final completion date of May of 2012; however all roads are now open to the public and the remaining work, such as final landscaping which will extend into spring, should have minimal, if any, traffic impacts.

The new expressway creates a two-mile stretch of a four-lane highway with a flyover improving access for north- and southbound Academy Boulevard traffic. Within the project there are two additional bridges and three ramps. The flyover bridge is the first three level interchange in Colorado Springs. The directional ramps will carry traffic between the roadways without stopping at a traffic signal. Additionally, the project has a new two-mile long urban trail. The final landscaping plans were formulated based on trees, grasses and shrubs that will prosper in this area. The design includes clusters of trees in small groupings. The project completion also returns Drennan Road to being a neighborhood road, significantly decreasing traffic for those homes along a previous busy street that was the main access to the airport.

About the name

Reverend Milton E. Proby, a civil rights activist and pastor for St. Johns Baptist church, dedicated himself to challenging injustice and helping the poor and hungry in our area. Milton E. Proby earned the honor of “Living Legend” from the NAACP in 2003. In 2006, the Colorado Springs City Council voted unanimously to honor Reverend Proby by naming the gateway from the airport to Colorado Springs in his honor.

Public involvement

Citizens and business owners near the project helped in the design process and also provided crucial input on the construction schedule. A survey was conducted and the public indicated the desire to have a shorter schedule with more impact as opposed to a longer schedule with more closures. Community outreach functions were held near the project as well as outreach to Homeowners Associations and area businesses. Communication was constant throughout construction, including a web site, press releases, flyers, door to door contact, newsletters and email communications.

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