CHESAPEAKE- February's ice storm wreaked havoc on Lawrence County roadways, and no one knew that better than the residents who live on North Huntington Heights Boulevard in Chesapeake.

Now, those residents are about to get a refurbished road, just in time for winter driving. Work began this week on a project to shore up the roadway that winds around the hillside above State Route 7.

Bilco Construction of Charleston, W.Va., is installing 41 steel H-beams along the edge of approximately 175 feet of the roadway. The beams will be drilled 20 feet into bedrock and then lined with pre-cast concrete sections. The edge of the road will then be backfilled. A new ditch line will also be constructed. The roadway will be graveled now and paved next spring. Guardrails will also be installed along the roadway.

Chesapeake Mayor Jimmie Justice said the price tag for the work is $159,000, most of which is covered by FEMA funds. The village's share of the cost is $20,000.

"I'm tickled for the people who live up there," Justice said. "They had another way in and out, but you couldn't get a fire truck up there."

The project should take an estimated 3-6 weeks to complete.

Approximately 55 families live on North Huntington Heights Boulevard.