Cobb County officials on Monday celebrated the beginning of $48 million worth of improvements for a 2-mile stretch of Windy Hill Road, between Cobb Parkway and Powers Ferry Road.

The construction period will last more than 2 years along one of the most heavily-traveled corridors in the county. The improvements include a Diverging Diamond Interchange over Interstate 75, new medians, and pedestrian enhancements.

The project is scheduled for completion in 2017, and officials say they are necessary to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and decrease congestion.