VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Road construction that was initially delayed began Monday, closing parts of Springhill Drive.

Springhill Drive between 7th Street and Erie Canal closed today for a reconstruction project. Many motorists have gotten use to driving around small areas of construction along Springhill Drive.

“They’ve been saying they’re going to work on it, so they do itty bitty parts, but they never fully complete it,” Stephen Hawley, a resident of Terre Haute said.

Vigo County Engineer, Larry Robbins, said those small projects are due to utilities being relocated, something the county has been waiting on in order to start the Springhill Drive widening project. The reconstruction project will take Springhill from two lanes to three with the addition of a turn lane.

The county has acquired rights-of-way to make this project possible.

Gregory Reilly works at Wabash Valley Animal Hospital in the construction area he says the construction will greatly help traffic.

“Especially with people that are wanting to make a left-hand turn,” Reilly said. “That won’t be holding up traffic on the road,” he added.

Hawley agreed, “It most definitely will make traffic go a lot faster.”

The hope is less congestion and less accidents.

“I can’t wait for this turn lane to see what it does,” Hawley said.

Robbins confirms Springhill Drive from 7th Street to Erie Canal is currently closed to all thru traffic, meaning local traffic only, will have access.

Phase one of construction includes a total shutdown between 7th and 12th Street to all traffic. That stretch is expected to be shut down for 90 days.

“It’s going to make it very difficult considering it’s going to be closed,” Hawley said. “Which means I’m going to have to find a detour, which can cause delays,” he added.

“Expansion is always good as they say,” Gregory said. “Hopefully it will be taken care of really quickly and life can go on,” he added.

Robbins said now that actual construction has started motorists will no longer be able to get through. He reminded motorists that if they don’t live in the area or have business in the area, to please avoid it.

The stretch of Springhill Drive from 7th Street to Erie Canal is set to re-open after mid-November, weather permitting. Robbins asked motorists to be patient and use the detour on Davis Avenue.