Phase two of Downtown links breaks ground today | News

There is new street construction starting up near Downtown.  St. Mary's will be getting some road construction near I-10 and the work starts today.

A little roadwork now for smoother driving in the future, this is the Downtown links project - phase two. 

Construction on St. Mary's between Church and I-10, means they will be widening the road, improving drainage, and curbs in this phase of the project.

Phase one included improving 8th Street between 4th Avenue and 6th Avenue. 

The Downtown links project has been going on for several years now; it started as a project from the Regional Transportation Authority and was passed by voters in 2006.

When completed, the project will connect Aviation Highway with I-10, giving drivers a bit of breathing room.

"Those folks are looking to get to I-10 from the east side, they now have a route that doesn't force them to cut through the middle of downtown, to get to I-10," said Mike Graham, a City of Tucson spokesperson. 

Phase Two kicks off with a ceremonial groundbreaking at 9:30 a.m., downtown near 6th and Davis.   Construction on this phase is expected to last 15 months.

Copyright 2012 Tucson News Now All rights reserved.