You will notice some changes the next time you drive along University Avenue in Saint John.

New bollards have been installed along the street to help protect cyclists and slow vehicle speeds.

“Bollards are vertical posts that create a protective perimeter along certain sections of roadways such as bicycle lanes,” the city said in a news release.

Their installation was part of a larger project meant to improve road safety and reduce traffic congestion along the busy thoroughfare.

Last summer, the four-lane street was reduced to two-vehicle lanes, one in each direction, and the speed limit was reduced to 50 km/h from 60 km/h.

In addition, a no-stopping zone was implemented eastbound between Millidge Avenue and the start of the left-turn lane to Tim Hortons.

“With University Avenue reducing to a single through lane in each direction, it would be important to reduce risk of vehicles queuing into this now single through lane from the Tim Hortons drive-thru,” said a staff report to council.

Officials said the new bollards will be taken out each fall and reinstalled in the spring.