ELMIRA, N.Y. (WENY) – After years of planning and months of construction, Elmira city officials celebrated the opening of the roundabout that's part of the North Main Street Cultural Connector project.

As WENY News reported, construction first started back in April. Officials said the project aims to make a gateway to downtown Elmira while creating safer conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.

The project also includes sidewalk improvements and upgrades to street lighting and a new bus shelter.

“I'm really excited,” said Elmira City Councilman Brent Stermer. “After years and years and years, we finally are putting this to bed and now we'll go off and work on the Lake Street Bridge and Water Street...all part of making downtown Elmira a great destination.”

At the new North Main Street roundabout, four wire sculptures of local birds found nesting along the Chemung River – two ospreys and two bald eagles – are featured, in addition of stones representing the Chemung River bed and sculptures of fish native to the Chemung River.

Additionally, at the base of the sculpture, there is red brick pavement similar to the original paving near the Erie Train Station.

“I'm pleased overall with the support we've had from the community,” said Derek Chalfant, one of the sculptors involved in the project. “I've had a lot of people stop me, talk to me on site, and they expressed interest and gave me thanks for my involvement with the project...I'm grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of the community using art as a language to speak about something that is very important to all of us.”

The project did meet some controversy over the summer, after Savino's Liquor and Wine closed down, citing the road closures for a drop in customers that made it unsustainable to stay in business.