(Burlington, Ky.) - Work has officially begun on a new road aimed at lightening the traffic load in Florence and Burlington.

County leaders broke ground Wednesday on the $18 million South Airfield Road project. It will connect Kentucky 18 and Turfway Road just to the south of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport when it opens in a couple years.

“This groundbreaking is a culmination of years of hard work from our administration. Through the efforts of Congressman Davis and the other funding partners, including the Fiscal Court, residents in Boone County will have shorter commute times and less congestion,” said Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore, who took part in the groundbreaking.

Moore said the project is mostly funded through federal dollars secured by Congressman Geoff Davis (R-Hebron).

South Airfield Road will make getting around easier for residents in the area. An estimated 49,000 vehicles a day will use the road by 2030.

The new road will open 800 acres of land for development.