The N.C. Department of Transportation on Wednesday announced it has awarded a construction project on Old Beatty Ford Road to Mount Airy company Smith-Rowe LLC.

The total contract is worth $10.2 million, which is $3.3 million below NCDOT engineers’ estimated cost.

Included in the project cost is relocation of Old Beatty Ford Road between Bostian and Lentz roads at Interstate 85, widening, rumble strips, paving, drainage and grading. The section of road is 2.39 miles.

An N.C. Department of Transportation news release said the project could begin before widening begins of Interstate 85 in Rowan County. Work by Smith-Rowe can start Oct. 26, the news release said.

The relocated Old Beatty Ford Road is scheduled to open on June 15, 2017. Additional landscaping is scheduled to wrap up in December 2017.

Old Beatty Ford is one of six road and bridge projects recently awarded by DOT. Contracts were awarded to the lowest bidder.