A milestone is taking place in the push to get astronauts back into space without reliance on the Russians.

A brand new crew access tower project is in the works at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station that will allow NASA astronauts to get on board spacecraft headed to orbit.

Boeing and United Launch Alliance are partnering in the project at Space Launch Complex 41.

The tower will reach 200 feet high and house an elevator and escape system in the event of an emergency.

The complex is one of the busiest on the Space Coast when it comes to launches, so construction will be spread out over time.

Boeing's CST-100 capsule will soon be certified by NASA's Commercial Crew Program to fly crews to the International Space Station launching on an Atlas V rocket.

A groundbreaking on the tower takes place Friday.