CARY - Drivers in the western reaches of Cary can expect their traffic headaches - already pounding from the rolling closures of roads intersecting the future Western Wake Freeway - to intensify a little this summer.

Construction could begin within weeks on an expansion of two of western Cary's major thoroughfares.

The Town Council on Thursday awarded a $5.25 million contract to Barnhill Contracting for the widening of Green Level Church Road, from south of Carpenter Fire Station Road to McCrimmon Parkway, and of Carpenter Fire Station Road from Howard Grove Parkway to Cary Glen Boulevard. The project includes widening those sections of the roads to four lanes divided by a median.

Crews will also install sidewalks, curb and gutter, multi-use trails and a pedestrian tunnel to the future Morris Branch Greenway south of the Amberly community. Officials expect the widening project to be finished by late 2011.

Drivers also should be mindful of the following closures and detours - all related to the Western Wake Freeway project - that may also impact commutes:

McCrimmon Parkway, just east of Cary Glen Boulevard, closed April 12 and is scheduled to re-open in February 2011. The detour route is listed as Carpenter Fire Station Road.

An on-site detour is planned for Carpenter Fire Station Road, west of the Cameron Pond subdivision, during August to allow for the construction of a bridge.

A section of Roberts Road west of Page Road will close in November and open in July 2011. The detour route is listed as Jenks Road.

A portion of Jenks Road will close in July 2011 and re-open in February 2012. Drivers will be re-routed to Roberts Road.