Delaware County and the city of Westerville plan to team up to address traffic congestion on a major Genoa Township thoroughfare.

The $6 million project will add a center turn lane on Sunbury Road from Smothers Road to Maxtown Road.

“It certainly is needed,” said Delaware County Commissioner Barb Lewis, who along with Commissioner Gary Merrell voted 2-0 on Thursday to approve the project.

The project will also include the modification of the intersection with County Line Road, the addition of a storm sewer system, a sidewalk on the west side of the roadway and a multi-use path of the east side.

“It’s an important project and much needed and we are anxious to move forward with it,” said county Engineer Chris Bauserman.

Eighty percent of the funding for the project will come from a federal grant. The city and the county will split the remainder of the cost.

Westerville will be charged with providing engineering and design services throughout the project, while the county will take on the right-of-way acquisition necessary.

The project is expected to begin next fall and conclude in 2017.