By Brad Segall

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) — Drivers who use Markley Street through Norristown as a key connector route from King of Prussia to Montgomeryville should prepare themselves for a major construction project that is set to begin next month.

Phase one of the nearly $21-million project calls for crews to completely rebuild Markley Street, also known as Route 202 South. The work will be done from just south of Main Street to Johnson Highway, which is about a mile away at the East Norriton border.

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation spokesman Gene Blaum says PennDOT expects to wrap up this phase of the work in the fall of 2016.

“The roadway on Markley Street right now is in very poor condition, so it will be completely rebuilt,” he tells KYW Newsradio. “There’s going to be sidewalk improvements (and) streetscaping, so from a travel standpoint, travel flow will be much smoother on Markley Street.”

During construction, Blaum says they will keep one lane in the southbound direction open, but drivers heading northbound will be rerouted onto DeKalb Street.

PennDOT will hold an open house on the project tomorrow (Thursday) night at 6pm, at the former Eisenhower Middle School in Norristown, to update residents on the plans.