Beautification begins. A long-awaited street beautification project gets underway this week just east of downtown.

Three intersections will be affected by the work -- East 11th Street and Peoria Avenue, East 6th Street and Peoria Avenue, and East 10th Street and South Elgin Avenue. The first phase of the work will be performed at 11th and Peoria, where the pavement will be replaced, and new crosswalks and pedestrian traffic signals will be installed. The same work will be performed at 6th and Peoria later.

The work at 10th and Elgin will include the city's first modern roundabout, which is larger than the traffic circle found at 5th Street and Main Street downtown but smaller than the rotary found at Admiral Place and Mingo Road. City officials said artwork is planned for the center island of the roundabout.

A variety of beautification features are planned for each intersection, including decorative sidewalks and crosswalks, LED street lighting and cast-iron bollards. The 6th and Peoria intersection will feature bike racks and benches, as well as the placement of a clock at Centennial Park. Additionally, on-street parking will be constructed on Peoria Avenue near 6th Street.

The city has contracted with Pavement Conservation Specialists Inc for the work, which is budgeted at $2.6 million. The projects are expected to be completed in a year, city officials said.