Construction on the Padanaram causeway will begin after the Independence Day holiday influx.

“As of today, the contractor plans on putting the detour into effect after the fourth of July,” Judi Riley of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation said on June 22.

While drivers may notice minor changes next week, such as detour signs at the ready, “no serious construction will begin until after the detour is in place,” said Riley.

The Padanaram Causeway Rehabilitation project includes roadway, drainage, structural, and lighting improvements along Gulf Road from the eastern edge of Apponagansett Park to the Padanaram Bridge, and Smith Neck Road from Gulf Road southerly 550 feet.

The construction project does not include work on the bridge—only the causeway, said Riley. The causeway is the portion of the road with land and rocks underneath.

Director of Public Works David Hickox confirmed that the project will start on July 6.

The project will cost approximately $8,274,700, which is $2.2 million over the projected $6 million set aside in the town's budget. However, now that the town has finished engineering and permitting, MassDOT has taken over, and will fund the project with federal and state monies, said Hickox.

The forecasted project completion date is June 11, 2018. The general contractor is John Rocchio Corporation from Smithfield, Rhode Island.

The Town is still seeking funding for updates to the bridge, said Hickox. During the causeway construction, the bridge will be operational for boats and follow a normal schedule. It will, however, be closed to cars, said Hickox.