EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) - Improvements along University Avenue between South Main Street and Avenida de Mesilla are expected to impact traffic near Zia Middle School and surrounding neighborhoods, the Las Cruces Public Schools (LCPS) announced in a news release. LCPS said the first phase of the project will last through mid-December and will primarily affect traffic near the intersection at University and Avenida de Mesilla. Parents are advised to plan accordingly and expect delays during drop-off and pick-up. LCPS has been assured that bus access to Zia will not be affected, according to the news release. The New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) said the project will widen University Avenue to enhance the existing two-lane roadway. The federally funded project is scheduled to take 460 working days at a cost of just over $22 million, LCPS said.