A portion of Emma Street in Lafayette is set to close on Thursday for seven months to make improvements that are adjacent to a large affordable housing project.

The Boulder County Housing Authority plans to reconstruct Emma Street from Burlington Avenue to 120th Street in east Lafayette.

Improvements include upgrading and relocating the waterline and replacing the sanitary sewer line. Bigger improvements consist of a new roundabout at Canterbury Drive and a new traffic signal at East Emma and 120th Street, according to public information released by Lafayette city officials.

The roadway construction adheres to Boulder County Housing Authority’s Willoughby Corner affordable housing development. The housing complex will offer 400 below-market rate rental and for-sale affordable homes for families, individuals, older adults and those who qualify for housing, according to the Boulder Housing Authority.

The affordable housing project is located southwest of the East Emma and 120th Street intersection.

Construction of the affordable housing development and Emma Street will cause periodic closures on the roadway. Lafayette officials suggest drivers detour using Canterbury Drive.

The Willoughby Corner development will roll out in three phases, according to Boulder County Housing Authority.

Phase 1 plans call for a 63-unit apartment building for residents 55 and over, Phase 2 plans include four multifamily residential buildings with 129 rental apartments and a community center, then Phase 3 will include 80 affordable for-sale homes.