For those who travel frequently in downtown Allentown, get ready for several months of road work and delays as the redesign of Center Square begins.

The city announced that construction is set to begin Monday on the project, which will realign the intersection of Seventh and Hamilton streets through the square, while creating a pedestrian plaza around the Soldiers and Sailors Monument. The project will be completed in multiple phases through November.

Preconstruction activities, including site preparation, mobilization, layout and exploratory pipe location will take place this Monday through Friday, April 20-24, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. No closures are expected, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers.

The first phase of construction will take place April 27 through May 21, focused on the northwest corner around the PPL Center. The right lane of Hamilton Street will be closed heading toward Seventh Street, and the right lane of Seventh Street will be closed through Hamilton Street.

Following that, anticipated construction phases are:

• May 21 to June 12: Southwest corner (702 Hamilton St.)

• June 10 to Aug. 5: Northeast corner (2 City Center/645 Hamilton St.)

• July 31 to Oct. 5: Southeast corner (Lehigh County Government Center and Vault 634)

• July 15 to Aug. 7: West corners, Linden and Seventh streets

• Sept. 22 to Nov. 6: Final paving for the full project length

Utility work in the area has been under way since last fall in preparation for the redesign.

In addition, the Hamilton Street Streetscape project from 728 Hamilton to Church Street is expected to begin May 11 and continue for about 70 working days. This work will be coordinated with the realignment project and plaza improvements to maintain consistent traffic patterns.

The $6.5 million project to redesign Center Square, home to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, will reduce Seventh Street to two traffic lanes, while adding a bike lane. It will also eliminate one of the two traffic lanes on Hamilton Street around the monument.

The plaza-type space around the monument is being designed so that it could host public events and include outdoor seating.

Allentown’s Center Square redesign: New look praised, but some concerned over traffic