BALTIMORE (WJZ) — Baltimore City is making a major investment in its roads around the Port of Baltimore. The plan would make travel easier and safer for those living in the area.

Tim Williams has more.

The streets of Dundalk are known for parades, celebration and holiday fun. But for locals living near the port, there’s little enjoyment driving these roads. Over the years, parades of trucks and traffic have taken their toll.

“This is going to be great for the port. This is an incredible engine for economic activity in our state. It’s good for our residents and it’s good for our businesses,” said State Delegate John Olszewski Jr.

This week, members of Maryland’s Department of Transportation, House of Delegates and the Port of Baltimore joined Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to announce a major overhaul for roadways in Southeast Baltimore around the port.

“This $44 million improvement will make the roads easier to travel on for the trucks, for the people who are going to their homes, as well as people who are going into work from Baltimore County,” Rawlings-Blake said.

With cargo, shipping and tourism booming, the upgrades are needed. The Southeast Road Reconstruction Program is a series of improvement projects in Southeast Baltimore. It includes the reconstruction of Broening Highway, streetscaping along Dundalk Avenue and intersection improvements throughout the area, including small bridges. In addition, commercial vehicles will have new routes in and out of the city to minimize impact on residents and visitors.

“Proud to be working with all of our partners to bring this to fruition after many years,” said Jamie Kendrick, Department of Transportation.

The project is expected to be complete in the fall of 2014.

For more information about the construction projects, click here.