Crews with the state Department of Transportation have finished widening a 600-foot section of Canton Highway (Hwy. 20) at Woodland Hills Drive.

The wider center turning lane should improve traffic flow at the intersection, which is west of Cumming. The project, which cost about $59,500, wrapped up Tuesday.

Rudy Bowen, a DOT board member, said in a statement that “this new area will improve the overall operation of … 20 by allowing left turners to get out of the traffic flow eliminating backups in the immediate area.”

“I believe it will make a big difference to the people who use the roadway daily,” said Bowen, a Suwanee resident who represents the 7th Congressional District, including south Forsyth, on the board.

According to the DOT, the project was handled through its Quick Response Program, which allows low-cost, operational improvements to be made to the state route system.

Projects are identified by department engineers or staff from local cities and counties and are then managed through the Office of Local Grants.

“Small changes can make a big change in your commute,” Bowen said. “The Quick Response Program is a tool specifically for work typically costing less than $200,000.”

He encouraged residents to share ideas for needed low-cost projects  by visiting www.dot.ga.gov.