LYNN – Lynn residents will have their first opportunity to weigh in on the reconstruction of Essex Street on Thursday evening.

The Lynn Planning Department will host its first in a series of public meetings on the project at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Ingalls Elementary School Cafeteria.

“The meeting will be a great opportunity for the community to learn more about the project scope, design objectives, funding, and timeline for construction,” a news release from the Planning Department said.

The project involves the reconstruction of approximately one mile of Essex Street from Joyce Street to Eastern Avenue.

“The objectives of this project are to enhance safety, accessibility, and operations for all users through the full reconstruction of the corridor,” the press release stated.

According to the planning department, the Essex Street corridor has experienced an excessive number of crashes, and four intersections along that stretch are listed in the MassDOT Statewide Top 200 High Crash Location List.

The project is expected to include roadway pavement reconstruction, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, drainage improvements, improved traffic operation and safety design, and new signs and pavement markings. It will also seek to improve bus transit access, convenience, and reliability along the corridor.

The project comes with a $20 million price tag and is programmed for funding through the State Transportation Improvement Program.

Construction is expected to begin in 2025.