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KIRKSVILLE, MO. -- A section of East Jefferson Street in Kirksville is undergoing a transformation this week.

On Monday, city crews put down markings on the pavement that will guide them in the restriping of the street from the Kirksville Post Office eastward almost to Baltimore Street.

That portion of Jefferson Street currently has four driving lanes, two in each direction, but that's about to change.

For safety sake, the street will soon have a center turn lane, one driving lane in each direction and a bicycle lane along both edges.

"One of the concerns that we always here is that people don't necessarily feel safe riding, and so bicycle lanes add a kind of feeling of safety for folks who are out bicycling,” said Kirksville Assistant City Manager Melanie Smith. “Jefferson Street is certainly on e of the main routes into downtown, and so we're certainly happy that we were able to get some bike lanes added there.”

Smith told KTVO the restriping of Jefferson Street will not cost the city a dime.

A grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH) is paying for the paint and labor for the project.

Smith said with grants like this one, MFH’s goals include increasing bicycling facilities, educating people on how to use them and encouraging everyone to get outside and more active.

She said city crews are working in the wee hours of the morning so they won't affect your drive to work.

They should have the project done by Thursday, July 19, 2012.