LAKESHORE, Ont. - A major industrial road in Lakeshore is getting a makeover.

The Ontario government is giving the town $4,166,500 for the project.

The plan includes widening the road from two lanes to four lanes with a left hand turn in the middle of the roadway.

“This is fantastic news for Lakeshore and our businesses in the Patillo Road area,” says Lakeshore mayor Tom Bain. “One of Lakeshore’s top priorities in our Strategic Plan is Roads and Infrastructure investment to keep people moving and the municipality running.”

Bain says safety issues and operational constraints along Patillo Road have been a concern for a several years.

Through the town’s engineering and design work, a number of road and drainage improvements were identified to address the issues in the area.

Bain also tells CTV News the investment will help the town's pitch to attract new business, as they are currently in negotiations with two Chinese companies.

"Companies won't move to areas if the infrastructure is not in place," adds Chatham-Kent-Leamington Conservative MPP Rick Nicholls.

“These initiatives promise to make a real difference in people’s lives by giving them confidence in knowing that their community has safe and reliable infrastructure”, says Nicholls. “We’re excited to get shovels in the ground.”

Work is expected to begin as early as next spring and will take up to four years to complete.