IRONTON — Motorists driving to and from the new Ironton Elementary and Middle schools could soon be traveling on smoother roads.

Mayor Rich Blankenship announced earlier this week that he would be submitting an ordinance to Ironton City Council to approve nearly $62,000 in funding to rehabilitate and repave Thomas Street along with portions of Delaware Street and McPherson Avenue on the city’s north side.

All three streets have seen traffic spike tremendously since The Ironton City Schools moved their elementary and middle school students into the new school this August.

Traffic congestion on Delaware has made the alternate Thomas-McPherson route a popular one with parents and students alike both to and from school.

Also included in the $62,000 bid package is the rehabilitation of Vernon Street between Fourth and Fifth streets where First Baptist Church’s new Faith and Fitness Center recently opened.

The intersection of Cliff and Phillips streets, also on the city’s north end was also named in the project.

Zanesville-based Shelly and Sands, Inc. were awarded the bid on the hot mix asphalt project. The project will be funded through state highway monies recently allocated to the city.

Shelly and Sands are no strangers to Ironton.

The highway construction company was responsible for the two-year rehabilitation project on U.S. 52.

No start date has been finalized for construction to begin.