CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG-TV9) -- Road construction is ramping up on Collins Road near Lindale Road as part of a $7.4 million improvement project.
It's also one of the busiest roads in Cedar Rapids, with nearly 30,000 vehicles using that part of Collins Road each day. This project is expected to cut down on congestion and make it easier to get in and out of the mall.
Currently, you'll notice work just east of Northland Avenue to Twix Town Road.
One lane is currently closed eastbound on Collins Road for the construction project.
The project involves adding a through lane in each direction and adding a few turning lanes into the Lindale Mall, Collins Crossing intersection.
"The area is probably the busiest commercial corridor that we have in the city and it's going to be an exciting project for that area, it's really going to improve the access in and out of there," Kate Kampman, a City of Cedar Rapids engineer, said.
The Collins Road improvement project started last week where construction crews began working on utilities.
The project also calls for adding more pedestrian sidewalks on both sides of the road so it's safer to cross Collins Road.
The City wants to remind motorist to slow down if they are driving on Collins Road this week and look out for construction crews working in the area.
The city is expected to finish this project sometime in 2019.