Stretches of South Academy Boulevard in Colorado Springs slated for first major renovation since 1969 opening

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Work begins next week on a two-year project to upgrade two stretches of South Academy Boulevard plagued by crumbling infrastructure and poor drainage.

The $59 million project has been in the planning stages since 2011 and will focus on providing new pavement, curbs and gutters and improve drainage to eliminate flooding and water pooling on the road, and offer better pedestrian access.

Officials said that the first segment will be a mile between Bijou Street and Airport Road, just south of Citadel Mall; the last phase will be 2.5 miles between Fountain Boulevard and Jet Wing Drive.

A new multi-use path -- essentially a wider sidewalk -- will built on one side of the project to allow better access for pedestrians, bicycles and other non-motorized forms of travel.

"We have a high transit ridership and a high count of pedestrians and bikes using that area, and there's been safety concerns," said Gayle Sturdivant, city engineer.

Part of the project involves Colorado Springs Utilities relocating water and sewer lines in the area, as well as replacing manhole covers, inlets and drainage pipe; relocation has already begun at the South Academy/Airport intersection.

Officials believe that the project -- scheduled for completion in 2025 -- represents the first major upgrade for South Academy since it opened in 1969.

Included in the project is the installation of new street lights to fill current gaps.

Karlie Bates works at Peakview, a home improvement business along the project area, and expressed mixed feelings about the work to come.

"While it's a lot of money, I do think that the south end could use the attention," she said. "No one likes road construction. The city is already congested and this will add to it."

But residents like Mila Anderson, who drives along South Academy often, are willing to bear the inconvenience now for the benefits later.

"I'm tired of he potholes," she said. "I've hit multiple potholes and ended up having to get new tires from it. So, very glad this project will happen."

Sturdivant said that construction will start with workers tearing out the center islands, paving over those areas and use them as detour lanes when needed.

"Our intent is to keep two (of the three) traffic lanes in each direction, open as much as possible," she said.

A public open house about the project will be held Thursday, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m., at the Sand Creek Library; citizens can learn more about the project and ask questions.

The project is being financed by sales tax revenue from the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority; for more information, visit: https://coloradosprings.gov/AcademyBlvdImprovements.

Another segment of South Academy -- from Interstate 25 east to Bradley Road -- also will be improved as part of a series of projects designed to improve traffic flow and safety around local military installations.