By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — It’s been twelve years in the making, and now it’s about to become reality. Montgomery County officials have broken ground on a long-awaited road construction project designed to improve access to the Norristown area.

Construction is now underway on the Lafayette Street extension, a $60-million project that county officials say will help revitalize the borough of Norristown.

Lafayette Street will be widened and extended into Plymouth Township, providing drivers with an alternative to Main Street.

Some houses and businesses are being demolished to make way for the road.

“Today is a day to begin knocking something down, but it is also a day to begin rebuilding right here in Norristown, and that’s exactly what we are doing and that’s exactly what we are making happen,” said county commissioner Josh Shapiro this morning at the demolition site.

The first cars should be on the highway by late 2016. The county is also talking to the state about a possible turnpike interchange that will link up with this project.