Like flowers in the springtime, orange barrels will bloom around Pataskala on Aug. 20 as the construction phase of the city's extensive Roadway Asset Management Plan, or RAMP, begins.

Pataskala administrator Tim Boland said so far, the city has assessed the condition of its streets and prioritized them for repairs. Now, it is time to begin repairs.

He said the $31 million, 10-year RAMP project represents the largest investment in the city's infrastructure ever. More than $3 million has been appropriated for road construction in 2012.

"This has been a turning point for the community," Boland said.

Boland said the city has conducted outreach meetings in several neighborhoods to help residents prepare for road construction.

"Just getting around town gets a little more difficult," he said.

Several projects will begin the week of Aug. 20.

On Township Road, from Broad Street to the bridge slightly north of Willow Street, the asphalt will be milled and replaced with a new asphalt driving surface.

A new traffic light loop detector will be installed at the Township Road and Broad Street intersection.

High Street from Second Avenue to the railroad tracks also will have its asphalt milled and replaced with a new asphalt driving surface.

On John Reese Parkway from Broad Street to Enos Loomis Street, the asphalt will be removed and replaced with a new asphalt driving surface. In addition, handicap-accessible curb ramps will be installed along the portion of John Reese Parkway as necessary.

Cedar Street from South High Street to Maple Street also will be milled and receive a new asphalt driving surface. The same is in store for Front Street from High Street to Township Road.

Boland said traffic patterns will be maintained during these projects, but travelers might experience delays.

Each project is expected to take 75 days for completion and construction will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Traffic patterns will not be maintained, however, on two other projects.

For the Havens Corners Road project, the road surface will be removed completely and replaced from Dixon to Summit roads. The project is scheduled to be complete Nov. 9.

The detour posted during the project includes Dixon, Taylor, Cleveland, Summit and Graham roads.

McIntosh Road from Headleys Mill Road to Courter Road also will be closed to through traffic until Sept. 7. The edges on the north and south side of McIntosh Road will be rebuilt to re-establish the road width to 16 feet.

Afterward, a chip seal driving surface will be installed. The posted detour includes Courter, Columbia and Headleys Mill roads and Broad Street.

Boland said the city of Pataskala website and Facebook page will have progress updates for the road projects.

"I think the disruptions in traffic will be minimized," he said.

Boland said while the projects will be inconvenient for motorists, the roads desperately need the work.

"We're very excited," he said.