ELKHART, Ind. – A stretch of road on East Jackson Boulevard in Elkhart reopened on Thursday after undergoing a two year construction project that cost roughly five million dollars.

There was a ribbon cutting event to celebrate the project’s completion.

Officials say that the changes made to the road will ensure safety for pedestrians by slowing down traffic.

The road was minimized from four lanes to three lanes.

Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese says that the project is about enhancing downtown Elkhart.

“It’s about shops, it’s about people coming here to the city of Elkhart, about getting out and going into these shops whether it be a restaurant or whatever it might be,” Neese said.

Officials say that it could have taken over two years to complete the project.