Newport Road Interchange Groundbreaking April 8

Traffic flow at the on- and off-ramps from Interstate 215 at Newport Road will be improved by the new design.

Start of construction on the Newport Road freeway interchange at Interstate 215 is now just two weeks away.

City officials have scheduled a groundbreaking ceremony at Newport Road and Antelope Road for April 8 at 3 p.m. Jonathan Smith, city engineer, said work would begin immediately on a project that has been talked about for years. Previous night-time lane closures on the bridge were for relocation of utility lines.

The $37 million project will widen the existing overpass to four lanes in each direction and will create cloverleaf style on- and off-ramps, improving traffic flow. Completion is expected some time in 2016.

The new design will expand the bridge to four lanes in each direction.