Work began June 3 on a project to improve a section of Hickory Fork Road in Gloucester approximately one mile long. The road improvements are expected to be completed by late July 2014.

The current project includes widening and reconstruction of the winding roadway from George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) near Wawa to a section of Hickory Fork near Haynes Mill Pond that was improved more than eight years ago, according to Virginia Department of Transportation spokesman Kelly Hannon.

The construction, which began with clearing and grubbing, will require some single-lane closures Mondays through Fridays, Hannon said, with closures possible from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on those days. However, VDOT has started the lane closures at 9 a.m. for the first few weeks to see how the traffic flow adjusts to the construction.

VDOT has awarded a $1.8 million contract to Howard Brothers of Lanexa, Hannon said.

Originally, this section of Hickory Fork was to be improved in several more years...