PHOENIX — With a contractor selected, the Arizona Department of Transportation is moving forward with a $41.9 million project to relieve traffic congestion at US 60/Grand Avenue and Bell Road in Surprise.

On Friday, the Arizona State Transportation Board approved Coffman Specialties Inc.’s proposal to design and build a Bell Road bridge, creating an interchange that will allow continuous traffic flow on Grand Avenue. The project is part of the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Regional Transportation Plan.

Construction on Grand Avenue is scheduled to begin in late January and will continue through March. In April, Bell Road will be closed at Grand Avenue for six to eight months to accommodate construction of a bridge over Grand and the adjacent BNSF Railway tracks.

“A condensed schedule not only avoids having construction continue through the holiday shopping season and next year’s spring training but provides for the safety of workers and motorists,” said Dallas Hammit, ADOT’s state engineer and deputy director for transportation.

Grand Avenue will remain open during the project.

ADOT and Coffman Specialties will continue working with local leaders to minimize impacts by conducting business outreach, communicating with residents and implementing a comprehensive access plan that includes signage to assist motorists and businesses.

“This project is so very important to the city of Surprise, as it will provide much-needed traffic relief at the county’s third-busiest intersection and enhance the aesthetics at a signature gateway into our beautiful city,” City Manager Bob Wingenroth said. “I applaud our partners at ADOT in working in concert with city staff to ensure a construction plan that protects local business access throughout the work, and I encourage people to continue to support these businesses during the condensed construction schedule.”