Alpharetta has taken the first step in a major realignment of Haynes Bridge Road near downtown. The City Council approved a $150,000 contract with URS Corporation this week to prepare construction documents for the project.

The new alignment will begin east of the existing intersection of Haynes Bridge and Academy Street where it will meander south to a roundabout near Thompson Street and then continue south to Old Milton Parkway.

The roadway realignment has been identified as a critical path for the proposed redevelopment of downtown.