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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- After much talk and planning construction finally began Tuesday on the Milton E. Proby Parkway project.

The project will create a new two-mile stretch of a four-lane highway between Academy Boulevard and Powers Boulevard. It will also create a much needed east-west connection to and from the Colorado Springs Airport. 

"It's a great economic driver. It's going to create jobs paid for by our citizens…and will be a real driver in getting new airlines in and I think that's great for all us," commented Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera.

The project will take about two years to build and will cost an estimated $55.4 million, all of which is being paid for by the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) with funds raised from a one percent sales tax voters approved in 2004.

For Caroline Smith, who lives with her three boys on Drennan Road, the construction period will be an inconvenience, but one she's willing to endure for the end result.

"The traffic is very busy during the day. The speed limit is 40 mph and most people go faster than that here," explained Smith.

When the project is finished commuter congestion on access streets like Drennan will be significantly reduced.

"It would ease my mind and I do have a fence around my yard, but it would ease my mind so that way I know they [her three boys] can play a little bit outside or right in the street area," added Smith.

The person the parkway is named after

The Reverend Milton E. Proby moved to Colorado Springs in 1958. He championed the cause of civil rights and equality as the pastor for St. John's Baptist Church on Prospect Street. After years of dedication to challenging injustice and helping the poor and hungry, Milton E. Proby earned the honor of "Living Legend" from the NAACP in 2003.

Proby's son, James Proby, was at Tuesday's groundbreaking and expressed his excitement and appreciation for his father's honor.

"We needed to do more in Colorado Springs to recognize the achievements of ethnic minorities and that ethnic minorities have played a very strong and strategic role in developing the growth of this city, so to see this finally come to fruition really brings my heart a great deal of joy," said Proby.

For residents in the Deerfield Hills neighborhood as well as for motorists who frequently use the area detour maps, closures and construction updates will be posted weekly on the website: www.buildproby.com.

Interested persons can also call the project hotline at 719-268-7430.