COVINGTON, Ga. — Drivers will see a big traffic change east of Covington this week as the project to widen U.S. 278 continues.

E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. has scheduled a traffic shift for Thursday, Dec. 12, on Highway 278, also known as Georgia 12.

Drivers will move to the outside lanes, divided by the new median throughout the project limits.

Expect some delays as crews finalize traffic control and safety items Thursday. There will be one lane of travel in each direction with turn lanes in their proper locations.

Georgia Department of Transportation officials said the $19.3 million project is on pace to finish on time by May 31, 2020. The project includes widening state Route 12 from the Covington city limits to just east of state Route 142. When completed, the highway will consist of two 12-foot lanes in each direction separated by a 24-foot raised grass median with 10-foot rural shoulders, of which 6 1/2 feet are paved.

The project also includes a modern, multilane roundabout, a traffic signal at the intersection of state Route 12 and Elks Club Road and two new bridges over the Alcovy River and Alcovy River Overflow.