Expect safer walks along State Road later this year.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation announced that beginning in early March it will be performing sidewalk improvements on a stretch of the Dartmouth roadway.

The new sidewalks and other pedestrian-friendly improvements will run along the south side of the road from Candy Apple Drive to Cross Road, a 1.8-mile stretch that has seen a number of pedestrian deaths in recent years.

In 2018, a pedestrian was killed in a hit and run around 653 State Road.

Two more deaths came in 2020 after a Fall River man was hit while walking near 671 State Road in July and a New Bedford woman was struck by a car and killed on New Year’s Eve near 597 State Road.

Along with sidewalks, the state plans to upgrade crosswalks and intersections with signal heads, push buttons and ramps to make the sidewalk wheelchair accessible.

Town Administrator Shawn MacInnes said officials are happy to see the state take action.

“The Select Board has been concerned about the safety of pedestrians along Route 6 for quite some time, and have met regularly with MassDOT to find a solution,” he said. “It’s hopeful that this project will allow for safer pedestrian traffic, and handicap accessibility in the area.”

The six month-long project is expected to begin March 7 and will run Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Drivers traveling through the construction zone should expect delays as lane closures will be needed as part of the project.