$8M improvement project in Colonial Heights | News

COLONIAL HEIGHTS, VA (WWBT)- Input wanted! Colonial Heights is asking residents to weigh-in on a proposed multi-million dollar improvement project. Two sections of the city are on tap to get a major facelift. The project is expected to ease traffic congestion and improve safety for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Lakeview Avenue from Brijidan Lane to the Boulevard and Dupuy Avenue from the western city limits to Chesterfield Avenue are the targeted locations for the upgrade.

Michael Mingus, who lives on Dupuy, has a pretty good idea why.

"When Virginia State has graduation we can't get out of our driveway. It's continued cars and there's nowhere for them to go so we can't get out," said Mingus.

There hasn't been any major modernization to sections of those avenues in 50 years.

"They'll be an addition of a center lane as you see now there's two lanes," said City Engineer Chuck Henley.

The city received an $8 million federal grant for the project -- which will also include wider shoulders, street lights, Landscaping and sidewalks.

"Those are important gateway corridors for the city. It's important especially for Dupuy with projections of traffic growth to be doubled over the next 20 years," said Henley.

The project also includes storm drainage improvements.

"The time is right, funding is available, it's consistent with the city council priority," Henley added.

Construction is expected to get underway in 2014.

The city will hold an informational meeting on the project on Wednesday July 18th at City Hall. The meeting is from 5-7 p.m.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.