The city of Columbus plans to make improvements to Rocky Ford Road between Taylor Road and Tally Road at an estimated cost of $8.5 million dollars.

Mayor Kristen Brown made the announcement that preliminary engineering work has been completed and the project is expected to go out to bid next month.

The goals of the project are to widen the road, increase the safety for pedestrian and bicyclists and to improve storm drainage. The project will also install a new bridge over Sloan Branch.

Brown said that 80 percent of the project cost, or about $6.8 million, will be paid out of federal funds.