FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – The project to straighten out the curve in Maumee Aveue breaks ground Tuesday. Mayor Tom Henry, members of Fort Wayne City Council, Indiana Tech representatives, East Central Neighborhood representatives and City of Fort Wayne Public Works staff members will gather for the groundbreaking of the Maumee Avenue Realignment Project.

They are meeting at 1:30 p.m. on the vacant lot on the Southeast corner of Maumee Avenue and Division Street.

The city is looking to make the city safer by straightening out the curve in Maumee Avenue between Harmar and University streets. The site, which is right next to Indiana Tech, has been the location of numerous vehicle crashes.

East Central Neighborhood Association Vice President Cheryl Taylor said their organization has been waiting for this project for years.

“It comes up periodically, so most of us are very happy to see it come to fruition,” she said. “I think a lot of people are a little skeptical about it because they feel like there’s enough speeding with the curve there and if they straighten it out, there’ll be more speeding [but] I think it’s a good thing.”

According to the City of Fort Wayne, there will be lane restrictions on Maumee Avenue between Francis and Ohio streets starting June 1. Division St. on Maumee Avenue will be closed.

The $1.1 million project also includes new lighting, storm water pipes and the relocation of the East Central Neighborhood monument.

The first phase of the project is expected to be complete August 1, 2016.