City officials, including Mayor Jim Gray and 9th District Councilmember Jay McChord, announced the end to major construction to the first section of the Clays Mill Road widening project on Tuesday.
The first phase of the work, between Keithshire Way and Higbee Mill Road, cost approximately $3.9 million and included new curbs and gutters, sidewalks, bike lanes and storm sewers, as well as landscaping features and a limestone retaining wall. Contractors are putting the finishing touches on landscaping and a few minor issues, according to a press release.
"The improvements along Clays Mill Road will one day improve traffic flow and, just as importantly, retain the character of the wonderful neighborhoods found all along the road," Gray said at a press conference.
McChord, who has held the 9th District council seat since 2005, said the project has been the highest-priority of his tenure.
"As a life-long resident of the Clays Mill corridor, I am so proud to see after 30-plus years of only talking about improving this road we have now completed significant portions of this important road," he said.
The next phase of the project, between Higbee Mill and Twain Ridge Road, will begin next spring. The .3-mile section of road will have the same features as the first phase and will cost approximately $3 million. Ultimately, the entire project will see Clays Mill Road, from Twain Ridge Road to Harrodsburg Road, turned into a three-lane street.