Work on giving Swansea's busiest road a multi-million pound new look is likely to start in the autumn.
Close to £9 million will go on creating a European-style boulevard along Oystermouth Road.
The council-backed scheme includes a tree-lined central reservation, better access to the Waterfront Museum and the LC as well as wide pavements.
It is hoped the makeover will finally end the divide between the city centre and the seafront. The work will take place between Albert Row and the Tawe bridges.
Tony McGetrick, chairman of Swansea Bay tourism said: "It will help to link up the city centre to the seafront and the improvements will make be of great benefit to the area."
In addition, changes to traffic light sequences will help traffic flow better. Public art is also planned along the route.
Work is likely to start later this year.
Sandfields resident Colin Joslyn said: "Work that will boost tourism on the promenade and marina area will be welcomed.
"It is one of the few natural areas of beauty in Swansea and that should really be capitalised on."
The £8.9 million project will build upon recent improvements at the river bridges where a new traffic layout has been put in place, along with work on Wind Street/Quay Parade and Oystermouth Road/ Westway junctions.
The council is also considering whether to amend traffic orders for Wind Street and reduce vehicle access to improve the area for pedestrians.
Swansea Council leader Chris Holley said: "The boulevard will bring major improvements to the main gateway into Swansea by improving the appearance of the area and helping traffic flow.
"It will also make the most of our fantastic waterfront city location by making it easier to move between the city centre and seafront.
"This will boost the local economy by encouraging more people to use the city centre and the waterfront.
"The key is to limit any disruption during these works.
"The recent successful completion of the river bridge scheme should give people confidence that we'll do everything we can to minimise disruption."
Gareth Sullivan, cabinet member for economic regeneration and planning, added: "It's clear that Oystermouth Road acts as a barrier between the city centre and the waterfront, and the project will generate better links between the two by introducing quality crossings for pedestrians at key locations.
"We need to make the most of Swansea's stunning coastline and this scheme will encourage far more people to cross back and forth between the city."
South Wales Evening Post - Monday, 9 January, 2012.
