Roadwork on the U.S. 78 expansion project is scheduled to begin Wednesday.

Really.

The delays are over. The site preparation is complete. Now Snellville's main artery to metro Atlanta is ready for the hum of heavy machinery.

Construction crews will officially start work overnight Wednesday to remove the reversible lane system on a stretch of U.S. 78. That will change the flow of rush hour traffic.

The first phase of the $31 million renovation and expansion will target the stretch between East/West Park Place to Stone Drive. Crews will work from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 5 a.m. Thursday on the transformation.

Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation are warning commuters to be prepared to make the adjustment.

"It's going to be rough Thursday morning," said Teri N. Pope, spokesperson for the Northeast Georgia District of the state DOT. "The reversible lane system is coming down Wednesday night from Stone Drive to East and West Park Place." Rush hour there "is going to be completely different than it has been for the last 20-plus years."

On Thursday morning, there will be two eastbound lanes, three westbound and a continuous center turning lane between East/West Park Place and Stone Drive.

When the first phase of the project is completed there will be three through lanes in both directions. Left turns will be allowed only at median breaks.

"We expect to add a lot of capacity," Pope explained. "People will be able to utilize all three lanes all the time."

Crews will restripe and widen the roadway and add a raised concrete median and sidewalks on both sides, in addition to other enhancements. Crews will work nightly until the job is complete. Lane closures will not be allowed Friday or Saturday night during Stone Mountain Park's laser show season.

Some traffic delays are expected. The reversible lane system will remain in place on other parts of the highway until new phases are complete. Future phases of the project will run from Killian Hill Road to Highpoint Road and finally Highpoint Road to Ga. 124.

Motorists can call 511 for more information on the project or visit www.511ga.org.