Construction on Interstate 185 is close to being finished.

The nearly $60 million project began almost four years ago and should be completed by the end of July, said Kimberly Larson, communications officer for District 3 of the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The area of construction, contracted to Robinson Paving Company, is 2.3 miles in length, stretching north of Georgia State Route 520 (Victory Drive) to south of St. Mary’s Road. The roadway, previously two lanes in each direction, is being widened to three 3.6-meter lanes in both directions because of the increased traffic due to the Base Realignment and Closure committee’s decision to relocate the Armor School from Fort Knox, Ky., and the 43rd Equipment Concentration Site at Fort Gillem, Ga., here.

The increase in traffic meant the highway needed to match the needs of the growing population, Larson said.

“The main thing was to relieve congestion in that area with all of the influx of Soldiers,” she said.

I-185 is one of the main thoroughfares to access the installation.

Larson said there would continue to be lane closures as corrective work is done in the final stages of the construction.

The next lane closure is scheduled 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July 8. According to Georgia DOT, the auxiliary lane between the entrance and exit ramps on I-185 southbound at Victory Drive will be closed so contractors can work on the bridge overpass.

According to the Georgia DOT website, people can stay safe on the roads in the meantime by following posted signs, reducing speed in construction zones, avoiding unnecessary lane changes and exercising extreme caution in work zones.

To stay updated on road changes, call 511. The recording provides real-time traffic and travel information.

For more information, visit www.511ga.org.