DeKALB — At their Sept. 12 meeting, the DeKalb City Council approved the initiative to widen Peace Road and improve safety within the area of construction. Peace Road will be widened to four lanes from the tollway to Macom Drive.

This is the first part in a multi-year plan to improve Peace Road. According to a City of DeKalb News Flash, the first step is estimated to be finished next year.

Additionally, Peace Road will be resurfaced to Route 38 as part of the safety improvements, as well as all driveways and several entranceways within the Market Square Shopping Center on Sycamore Road.

Construction for this project is being paid for by owners of the shopping center, according to the News Flash. It may cost up to $240,000.

Mayor Cohen Barnes expressed optimism about this project.

“What I love about projects like (Peace Road) is the amount of people, the amount of residents, this is going to affect positively,” Barnes said. “It’s awesome that we’re going to make an impact out there in our streets.”

Resurfacing of the shopping center will also take place this fall.