A large section of Dupont Road, one of the busiest in the city, is about to close for four months.

On Monday, barriers will go up between Salomon Farm and Dawsons Creek Boulevard, in effect closing Dupont to through traffic between Lima and Coldwater roads, Fort Wayne city officials announced Wednesday. About 25,000 vehicles use that stretch daily.

The closure is needed to construct a pedestrian/bicycle crossing under the road that will connect the Pufferbelly Trail from Salomon Farm Park to the existing trail north of Dupont Road, Public Works spokesman Frank Suarez said.

“The area has experienced tremendous growth, and certainly the residents who live in that area where people who use that road as well as use businesses in the area know that the congestion has been pretty significant,” he said.

Work will expand the road to four lanes, add a sidewalk on the north side and a trail on the south side, according to a news release. That section of Dupont Road will be open only to people going to businesses or their homes.

Through traffic from Coldwater to Lima will detour to either Carroll or Wallen roads. Traffic delays are expected, and motorists should allow for additional travel time, the city said.

Visitors to Salomon Farm and west of the closure will have access from Lima Road. Visitors to the Parkview YMCA and businesses east of the closure will have access from Coldwater Road.

The project will take place over two construction seasons, with completion in 2019. Weekly updates can be found at www.cityoffortwayne.org/dupont.

Suarez said the city has been meeting with residents about the construction for several years. About 200 people attended a meeting early this year, he said.

“It is a major road,” Suarez said, “but the construction will be well worth it when it's completed.”

rshawgo@jg.net