Cottonwood Creek bridge replacement and trail connection finally open

After years of planning and construction, the Cottonwood Creek Bridge Replacement and Trail Connection at Academy Boulevard is complete.

The ribbon cutting was held Wednesday afternoon to formally open the new and improved trail. Mayor John Suthers was there to join in the celebration, thank donors, and share why he’s excited about the project.

“The connection of Cottonwood Creek Trail to the Sante Fe Trail essentially allows people from the Northeast quadrant of town to go all the way downtown without having to go over any major streets. And in terms of improving the experience, the safety, it’s tremendous,” Suthers said.

The project wouldn’t have been possible without the combined funding of Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority and the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

There was also a generous land donation from the Kumar Family, which was necessary to connect the trails.

Narender Kumar said, “It occurred to us as a family, that we’re never going to take anything with us, nobody does. So this land belongs to people and to stay here, so the best way to do that is to donate it to the city.”

There were already people out enjoying the new trail extension, which is safer now that it goes underneath Academy, instead of crossing it.