Underground utility work has kept Belleville Avenue closed to traffic for several months, and that road closure is expected to last until at least January 2011.

DeWayne King, public works supervisor, said work along Belleville Avenue is moving along, however construction on the project is running behind schedule.

‘The work is a little behind the schedule we had hoped,” King said. “But it is moving along and some areas are opening back up to traffic.”

King said Underwood Street between St. Nicholas Avenue and Douglas Avenue is now open for traffic.

“It’s nice to have that available for folks dropping their children off at school,” King said.

King said construction on the Belleville Avenue project could be completed in January.

Currently the work is moving along Belleville Avenue between Underwood and West Jackson Streets. The work keeping the area closed to through traffic is being done on water, gas and sewer lines as well as storm drains between Woodrow Street and Smith Lane.