(KAIR)--Work begins in Atchison this week, as crews start the process of reconstructing portions of the eastbound lane of Main Street, and the southbound lane of North 17th Street.

According to the City of Atchison, the work is expected to take two to three weeks for completion, with a complete resurfacing project on Main Street, from 2nd to 17th Street and on 17th Street from Main to Country Club Road, to follow.

The City explains that for the North 17th Street Lane Reconstruction, the west lane will be reconstructed from just north of Gerber Electric, located in the former armory building, to the intersection of Parallel Street. That portion of 17th, according to the City, “will be reduced to one lane with a traffic signal,” with the 1700 block of Parallel Street to “only be accessible by way of Santa Fe Terrace.”

Regarding the Main Street Lane Reconstruction, the City explains there are two locations in the south lane starting at the intersection of 17th and Main and then east, with 17th, south of Main, to “only be accessible from the south,” either Utah or Chestnut Streets, with two way traffic to be maintained in the affected section of Main Street.

Once that two to three week phase of work ends, the asphalt resurfacing work, including striping, will follow, approximately lasting another two weeks. The City, as reminder, says the section of Main Street, between 14th and 17th Streets, will be converted to the same striping/lane pattern as the rest of Main Street, meaning one lane east, one lane west, and a center turn lane.

According to the City's release, “both project areas are expected to see heavier traffic before and after school, with commuters to the area schools told they “may experience fewer delays by accessing 17th Street from County Club Road” during the projects.