A long-stalled overhaul of Routes 6 and 28 in East Wareham is planned to begin this summer, with a $19 million project over two years to make the highway safer. An informational session on the project, designed to explain what changes are coming, is set for Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in Wareham Town Hall, located at 54 Marion Road. An informational meeting for abutting business owners will be held at 3 p.m. on the same day in the same location.

According to state officials, all views and comments made at the session will be reviewed and considered.

The project will bring major changes to the highway, which has seen several fatal crashes over the years. Additionally, officials are hopeful the improvements, while disruptive to businesses in the short term, will bring long term economic benefits to an area that has seen an exodus of businesses to West Wareham.

The plans were first unveiled in 2012. However, a lack of state funds pushed back the start date many times. Now, officials are ready to move forward. The improvements will be made to Cranberry Highway between the separation of the westbound and eastbound lanes near the Cranberry Plaza Shopping Center and a point approximately 900 feet east of the Red Brook Road intersection.

Construction will be done in two phases, the first in 2018 and the second in 2019.

The plan is to create two lanes going in each direction with a paved concrete median with sloped granite edging between them. The divider will stop people from cutting across the highway and making dangerous U-turns, while still allowing ambulances to cross over the divider, which will be around 4 inches high.

There will be designated spots for cars to turn around in two or three spots in that stretch.

Originally, the construction was scheduled to begin in 2012, but it has been delayed over the years. Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said this is because there were insufficient funds available for the state to complete the project at that time. Now, the money is in place so the project is certain to start.