COLORADO SPRINGS – A key link in the Colorado Springs urban trail system is now open. “This is a huge deal,” said cyclist, Shane Deichman Cyclists and people are foot are to now welcome to use the new stretch of Cottonwood Creek Trail under the new Academy Boulevard bridge
One cyclists described the new trail link, like a bike and hike equivalent of two major highways finally merging. “We’ve had a long history of north/south connection,” said Colorado Springs, Senior Bicycle Planner, Kate Brady, “This really connects east/west giving neighborhoods on the northeast access to the PIkes Peak Greenway.”
Like roads, Colorado Springs has a master plan for non-motorized transportation. This Cottonwood Creek Trail link had been key, but on a wait list for decades because of the complexity of getting under academy boulevard. “People don’t understand how long it takes to do a major project like this, with land acquisition, and budgeting and grants that came in, and piggy backing on projects that are like storm water,” said Alan Bauchamp with Bike Colorado Springs. The need for an improved bridge on Academy Boulevard created an economical opportunity to combine both projects.
