Park Avenue will be a hot zone of orange cones and heavy machinery early this morning. Official word from the City of Memphis has it that starting today, at 9 a.m., the stretch between Lynnfield Road and Semmes Street is getting a facelift. The project's endgame? Smoother travel. But for about two months, it's been a been a detour city for commuters.

Traffic tie-ups are a given, with city officials advising motorists to steer clear of the area if possible. A little planning could save you a big headache – seek an alternative route and keep your cool. The resurfacing work doesn't wrap until June, meaning the daily grind could get grittier on this part of Park Avenue.

For those who live and breathe by the pulse of the city, and who navigate the tight schedules of urban life, patience will be a virtue in short supply. Keep an eye on travel apps, look out for updates, and whatever you do, don't forget to factor in some extra time for the inevitable delays that come with progress.

We've all been down this road before – infrastructure upgrades are a necessary evil. They tell us it's for the greater good, to make our rides smoother and our commutes quicker in the long run. So while no one enjoys a detour, remember this is the toll we pay for growth. Come June, we'll hopefully all be cruising a little more comfortably on the new and improved Park Avenue.