NATCHEZ &045; After more than two years of planning and construction, improvements to Government Fleet Road should be finished by the end of this month.

And that will mean easier access to the Natchez-Adams County Port &045; which could be selling point for the facility, said port Executive Director Anthony Hauer.

&uot;It will allow for a heavier flow of traffic and help take out the risk of life-threatening situation and traffic congestion,&uot; Hauer said. And, once the work is done, it will mean fewer detours for trucks getting to and from the port.

Along with widening and resurfacing work being done on Lower Woodville Road from Col. John Pitchford Parkway to River Terminal Road, &uot;this work is part of the Department of Transportation’s ongoing commitment to safety,&uot; Hauer said.

Remaining work on the Government Fleet Road includes applying the rest layer of asphalt &045; work that must be done soon, before consistently low temperatures settle in &045; and painting stripes along the roadway.

Exactly when that will be done will depend on when crews can get the asphalt, since the asphalting company must also supply materials for several other projects at the same time.

&uot;If we could get all the asphalt we need all at one time, though, we could get (the paving phase) done in two or three days,&uot; said City Engineer David Gardner.

The project, which is being done by Georgetown Construction at a cost of more than $1.32 million, is being paid for through state and local funds.

Working out details on the relocation of a natural gas substation and power lines, and the taking of three parcels of land by eminent domain by the city, delayed the project at first. But in the last several months, the project has picked up speed.

Among other things, the improvements have included widening the road from 22 feet to 26 feet, straightening severe curves and installing storm drains. In addition, a new road was built to nearby Joiner Street Extension.

The improvements are being done to make the road, which heavy trucks travel frequently on the way to the Natchez-Adams Port, safer for both motorists and pedestrians.

In addition, there will be better access to adjacent neighborhoods, Gardner has said.