HUNTSVILLE — Huntsville is moving forward with design on the second phase of improvements to Old Big Cove Road.

At last week’s meeting, the City Council approved a $24.7 million agreement with the Alabama Department of Transportation for preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, utilities and construction for approximately 1.5 miles on Old Big Cove Road from Claudia Drive to Taylor Road.

The city will provide $4.94 million for the project as part of the agreement with dedicated funds from the Huntsville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization to start the project.

The improvements on Old Big Cove Road will include additional lanes with curb and gutter as well as sidewalks, bike lanes and streetlights.