A section of the revised Taylor Drive will open to motorists later this week.
Traffic will be diverted to one lane on the new road alignment northbound by the Real Canadian Superstore from the bypass route, starting on Friday or Saturday.
This switch will allow for construction work on and near the bypass road.
The number of lanes and access points will not change until construction is complete this fall.
The $20-million Taylor Drive Improvements Project is geared to improve safety for pedestrians and drivers as the city grows over the next five, 10 and 20 years.
With an estimated 30,000 vehicles using Taylor Drive every day, enhancements are needed to make it safer for drivers and pedestrians as traffic is expected to increase in the coming years.
At the end of the project, there will be better traffic flows, new intersections with enhanced crosswalks and new sidewalks, says city officials.
There will also be improved connections to transit stops at Sorensen Station, Historic Downtown, Riverlands, Railyards and the Red Deer River.