KINGSVILLE — The town of Kingsville has awarded the tender for the first phase of reconstruction on Road 2, a road that will increase in importance as the town expands farther to the west.

The tender bid of $5,825,000 by J&J Lepera Infrastructures — the lowest of five bids — was approved by council Monday.

Mayor Nelson Santos said construction would likely start in a month and end in late fall.

The first phase will be between Union Road in Ruthven and the Graham Sideroad. The second phase which is expected to begin next year will continue the reconstruction west to Jasperson Drive.

Construction of both phases will also include the installation of a watermain.

“Many people have asked me why are you only going that far — ($5.8 million) is not a (drop) in the bucket anymore,” said Coun. Larry Patterson. “It’s a large amount, the next phase will be even larger.”

Santos said the water main work when extended farther along Road 2 will ultimately service new subdivisions and a condo development to the west of town off County Road 20.

The mayor said the importance of the road will also increase once the town builds a connecting north-south link from County 20 to Road 2. The result will be a ring road which will allow traffic to skirt the downtown and hopefully alleviate some of the traffic congestion along Main Street.

The work will be the second major road construction project undertaken by the town this year.

Crews began work Monday on improvements to Jasperson between Main Street East and Peachwood Drive in preparation for the opening of the new high school. Rerouting Jasperson, starting at the S curve and going behind the arena, will also start this year.

Santos said there will be extra wide sidewalks on the east side of Jasperson to accommodate students and walkers and a multi-use trail on the west. He said there will also be an extra wide trail along the south side of Road 2. It will be curbed on the south side to create more separation between car traffic and cyclists and walkers.