LAS VEGAS -- City officials said that certain city roads will have changes in direction starting this weekend.

Authorities said that Fremont Street will be open in both directions between Las Vegas Boulevard and Eighth Street starting Friday. The city is opening up the lanes to prepare for heavy traffic during the Streetscape Improvement Project.

"This is definitely the mayor’s idea from the very beginning,” said David Bowers, the city’s program manager. “He's done a great job of turning the entire downtown around, not just this area, but he's done very well with this downtown area."

Road crews have been working on the Fremont Streetscape Improvement Project since January. The $5.5 million project plans to improve scenery in the east district.