PRINCE.EDWARD.ISLAND (CBC) - Crews in Charlottetown will begin laying the groundwork Monday for two road construction projects designed to improve traffic flow.

The projects include the widening of University Avenue and the redesign of the intersection of Allen Street and Mount Edward Road.

The section of University Avenue between Browns Court and Enman Crescent will be expanded from two lanes to four.

"Making this stretch of University Avenue four lanes will certainly improve traffic flow to the downtown by reducing the bottleneck that now occurs," Terry Bernard, chair of the city's public works committee, stated in a news release.

Traffic will continue in both directions, with short periods of one-way alternating, if necessary, said Bernard.

"We're working with the contractors to minimize traffic delays during the construction period," he said.

This first phase of the widening project is expected to take six weeks, with work resuming in the spring to create four-lane travel from Belvedere Avenue to Capital Drive, Bernard said.

In addition, crews will upgrade the intersection of University Avenue and Enman Crescent to improve left-turning, build sidewalks from Belvedere Avenue to Enman Crescent, and upgrade traffic signals at the intersections of Belvedere and Mount Edward Road.

Meanwhile, the redesign of the intersection of Allen Street and Mount Edward Road is expected to include a new storm sewer system, sidewalks and street lighting.

"The co-operation and understanding of the area businesses, residents and general public is greatly appreciated during these improvements," Bernard said.