(Photo courtesy of city of Phoenix)

The Grand Canalscape Project calls for artwork, seating, lighting and other enhancements along a nearly 12-mile stretch in central Phoenix.

Construction began Monday on the Phoenix renovation project that will beautify nearly 12 miles along the Grand Canal.

The city began construction in uptown Phoenix on the first phase of a yearlong landscaping project that hopes to repurpose the canal bank for a variety of public uses.

The city calls the project the Grand Canalscape.

Paved pathways, landscaping, lighting and artistic elements will all be added along the corridor from Interstate 17 to the Tempe border.

Monica Hernandez with the city of Phoenix says the project is much needed for the surrounding neighborhoods.

“Our goal as part of this huge project is to improve an existing resource and turn it into a true transportation amenity for the city of Phoenix," she said.

Funding will be provided by the Salt River Project, the city of Phoenix and a federal grant.

Hernandez says the project is just one of many city upgrades to come.

“It ties to a number of improvements,” Hernandez said. “With that said, there are certainly more transportation improvements in store for the city of Phoenix."