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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- Changes are coming for several blocks of Jefferson Street in Kirksville.

On Jefferson from High Street, next to the Kirksville Post Office, to nearly Baltimore Street, crews will be changing the street from its current four lanes to two driving lanes, one turning lane and a bicycle lane along each edge.

Kirksville Public Works Director John Buckwalter told KTVO the main reason behind the new layout is safety.

"It will eliminate that conflict that we've seen on Jefferson Street for years where people make a right-hand turn from what many would consider the left-hand driving lane, cutting across in front of the traffic that's on the outside lane," said Buckwalter.

Buckwalter said a city employee should start restriping Jefferson Street within the next two weeks.

At Monday night's City Council meeting, members voted 4-0 to approve an ordinance amending the city code related to time-restricted parking in downtown Kirksville.

Effective immediately, all of the times on the "No Parking" zones downtown are being cut in half.

Within a couple of weeks, the signs will be changed to read 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The "No Parking" zones will also only be in effect now on Mondays and Tuesdays, two days instead of the current four days.

Police Chief Jim Hughes said these changes were made to more accurately reflect when the city’s street sweeper is in operation.

The City Council also unanimously approved a bid from Winkler Communications for $34,000 for the purchase and installation of a new telephone system for Kirksville City Hall and the Kirksville  Aquatic Center.