The second phase of the downtown "Streetscape" beautification project, designed to slow down traffic where Main Street meets Sandwich Road, has begun.

The approximately $700,000 design will cover the area between Center Street and the Narrows Bridge.

On Monday, crews were tearing up Main Street in front of Hess, and digging up the access road between Cumberland Farms and the gas station. Traffic was being detoured around the area via Merchants Way and Center Street.

The plan includes the extension of a sidewalk in front of Cumberland Farms, where there is currently no curbing, and will add a sidewalk adjacent to Hess, along the access road that connects Main Street to Merchants Way.

A crosswalk will be added in front of M&D Bait & Tackle, which will also lose its curb cuts to make way for a sidewalk. The sidewalk will continue as Main Street bears to the left toward the Narrows Bridge.

The intersection of lower Main Street and Sandwich Road will get updated, for both traffic flow and pedestrian safety. Engineers have designed a 90-degree right-hand turn in that area.

The Community and Economic Development Authority completed the first phase of the project last year. It updated the curbing, sidewalks, street lights, and signs on Main Street between Center Street and the Post Office.