Almost anyone who has driven recently along South or North Main Street (Route 8 in Sandisfield) has been delayed a few minutes while Palmer Paving Corporation resurfaced a section of the highway.

No more. The road is done. Running from Connecticut all the way to Otis, parallel to the Farmington River the entire eastern height of Town, the road has been completely resurfaced as well as widened about five feet on each shoulder. Palmer has finished the yellow line down the middle and white stripes along both edges. Route 8, which last received a major resurfacing in 2012, will now be a lot safer to drive at night with new reflective paint to show drivers where the ditch is.

The new surface may in fact encourage some drivers to imagine they're on a speedway, but Police Officer Mary Bredenfoerder said, "Be sure to slow down. You never know where I'll find you."

So take a gentle drive on the new Rt. 8. You're going to like it.