Work on Lakewood Boulevard expected to last through September

After nearly two months of traffic delays and roadway construction, all four lanes along Lakewood Boulevard, between Florence Avenue and Fifth Street, are now open, but according to city officials, landscaping and street light installation may stretch into September."We were a bit delayed − the rain pushed us back about a month," said John Oskoui, director of public works. "But Lakewood Boulevard is paved and that was the major component of the project."Over the next month and a half, construction crews will begin installing irrigation systems into the median islands while new trees and flowers are being planted, Oskoui said.Several new street lights will also be installed along the four-block route.In June, city officials announced the robust construction project, which reduced Lakewood Boulevard to just one lane from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays. Construction was expected to conclude sometime in late July.Oskoui said the next major street renovation will begin later this year when construction crews repave Firestone Boulevard from Old River School Road to Nash Avenue.