Construction began Monday on an $7.9 million effort to widen and reconstruct a 1.5-mile stretch of Clime Road on the west side of Columbus.

The section of highway, stretching east of Demorest Road to Harrisburg Pike, was closed Monday to traffic, said the Franklin County engineer’s office, which is managing the project.

Crews are working to widen and rebuild the road so they can add a center turning lane, two bicycle lanes, storm sewers, sidewalks and curbs, along with signs and street lighting. The stretch will be closed for about 40 days as a culvert along the path is replaced, the office said.

The project, scheduled for completion next summer, will cost $7.9 million and is funded by Federal Highway Administration and Ohio Public Works Commission dollars.