The City of Austin Public Works Department reconstruction of Oltorf Street will be completed within 18 months after it began in early 2011.

The project will reconstruct the portion of Oltorf Street that runs between the southbound I–35 access road and South Congress Avenue, according to the Oltorf Street reconstruction project website.

The project is part of the Accelerate Austin Program that seeks to fast track many of Austin’s improvement projects to stimulate the local economy and put local contractors to work.

The project is funded by the 2006 Bond Package and will improve the street, sidewalks, curbs, gutters and bus pads. It will adjust traffic control and signal equipment and utilities, upgrade the water and storm water lines and install a new 12-inch waterline.

The project’s website warns residents of traffic delays, lane closures, noise and construction dust, but states that at least one lane in each direction will remain open during construction.

For further information about the project, visit www.ci.austin.tx.us/publicworks/oltorf.htm, where those interested can sign up to receive e-mail updates about the project’s progress.