Plans to ease congestion in and around the Hutchinson Metro Center are underway.

The city's Department of Transportation is working on a study that looks at building access ramps to make it easier for residents to get to and from the metro center. That is just one part of a proposed project that has been made possible thanks to state funds secured by Sen. Jeffery Klein. Klein says the ramps will be right on the Hutchinson River Parkway. 

Preliminary plans also show that the access points would create a new entrance just south of Pelham Parkway.

Community leaders say the proposed work is needed to reduce congestion on local streets leading to the busy commercial center.

The DOT study is expected to take about six months. Community leaders hope construction will begin shortly after that.