LAS VEGAS -- Residents who live in the northwest area of town may see a delay in their daily commute, but it will be to their benefit in the long run.

County officials broke ground Thursday on a new construction project near the 215 Beltway and Summerlin Parkway, but the work will not begin until June 2.

The project will create bridges between Summerlin Parkway and Charleston Boulevard, allowing commuters to travel without stop lights. The 215 roadways will also be widened to three lanes in each direction.

This project has been planned since the mid-90s, county officials said. When completed, drivers on the 215 will have to stop is when they want to exit the beltway.

"People now being able to drive along 215 rather than drive on the Charleston, Flamingo, Sahara avenues from the west because of all the development," said Department of Public Works representative Bobby Shelton. "(If you) get them off surface arterials and give them a better way to get around Valley."

With the construction will come some occasional headaches, officials warned. There will be lane restrictions and road work during the evening hours.

If all goes according to schedule, the work will be done by January 2010. The county when the project is completed, drivers will be able to drive from the Northwest all the way to Henderson without ever having to stop.