Things will pick up early next year, provided everything stays to plan in the improvement project on Highway 56, according to representatives who met with the public this past week.

The open meeting held Thursday evening by the Tennessee Department of Transportation was aimed at educating concerned citizens on the plans for the project. TDOT representative Robert Rodgers was on hand to present a power-point and maps of the present plans for the project.

Currently, TDOT is eyeing the letting of bids this winter, meaning construction on the first phase of the three phase project should begin in spring.

The first phase will begin in northern Warren County and run north to Magness Road. The other two phases will run north to Smithville. They will be let at the same time.

The Highway 56 project will originally be a three-lane highway, affording middle turn lanes and turn lanes from the east and westbound lane. However, future hopes are to turn the project into a four-lane highway.