Prep work for the first of four construction phases is now underway in West University Place as a contractor looks to replace a water line for a project that is targeting drainage improvements and a road surface replacement on Buffalo Speedway.

SER Construction Partners began that work March 23 north of Amherst Street, which will require the partial closure of the outside northbound lane of Buffalo Speedway. The lane closure will be done three blocks at a time and is expected to last four weeks each time until the work is complete, according to an announcement from the city of West University Place.

The water line replacement will span from Wroxton Road to Amherst Street with construction expected through the end of May.

When completed, the entire $32.56 million project will make improvements from the 5300 block south of Bissonnet Street down to the 6700 block north of West Holcombe Boulevard with expected completion in May 2023.