This is how a major West Bromwich dual carriageway will look after a £24 million congestion-busting road scheme is carried out.

Construction firm Balfour Beatty has been selected to carry out the project on the A41 which has been designed to boost regeneration plans for the town.

The Department of Transport recenty announced it will invest £22.2 million in the project to divert the A41 Expressway beneath the existing “Fire Station” roundabout at its junction with the A4031 All Saints’ Way.

The rest of the cash for the £24 million scheme will come from supermarket giant Tesco.

Work is now due to start in early summer and the project is planned for completion by late 2011, in time for the opening of West Bromwich’s new Tesco store.

The existing roundabout will be re-shaped and provide an improved link to the new developments in West Bromwich.

There will be new pedestrian and cycle facilities at ground level which will replace existing subways and a new footbridge crossing the underpass to link the town centre with All Saints Way.

Sandwell Council's development manager Robin Weare said: "The funding boost is a real shot in the arm for the regeneration of West Bromwich.

"The council has been bidding for the scheme for several years and we are delighted the Government is giving us the financial backing to make it a reality.

"It is great news that our plans can now be put in place.

"We’ve been very successful in getting Government funding for big road schemes in Sandwell, mainly due to the fact that we have a reputation for delivering them on time and to budget."