Lehman-Roberts equipment operator Courtney Lidell drove a roller to smooth and compress newly-poured asphalt as paving of the Pine Lodge connector road began last week.
The road will include two traffic lanes with a biking/walking lane on the east side.  Completion will allow motorists an alternate route to the Walmart shopping center and Merit Health Batesville and is expected to relieve congestion on the Highway 6/278 corridor.