NORTH ATTLEBORO - A short stretch of Route 1A could be getting new paving and sidewalks this fall, as a result of a $2 million state highway project that will upgrade sections of the road from Norwood to North Attleboro.

Public Works Director Mark Hollowell said the project will entail paving and sidewalk work along Route 1A from the town line to the North End Social Club. That stretch of Route 1A is state owned.

The project is estimated to cost $2 million and is expected to go out to bid in August so construction can start in the fall, the state Highway Department Web site says.

The project will include work on Route 1A as it passes through Norfolk, North Attleboro, Norwood, Walpole and Wrentham.

A highway department spokesman did not return calls for comment on the project Wednesday. But, the work in North Attleboro could be postponed to pave the way for a larger project that could be done later to upgrade the intersection of Elmwood Street, Route 1 and Route 1A. As one of the conditions for the project, that portion of the road could be turned over to the town in what is called a "turnback project." The project is not a sure thing and is only in the discussion stage at this point, Hollowell said. He said the town is already paying some of the costs of maintaining the road.

"We plow the sidewalks now because the state doesn't plow them. We also plow the road - just because that's where our plow trucks happen to turn around," he said. "The intersection is one of the poorer ones in town and needs some upgrades. One of the incentives to have this done would be turning the road over to the town. But the talks are really in their infancy right now."

Hollowell said a collaborative project between the state and town could be considered. For example, the town could pay for design work while the state pays for construction.

The town has about $200,000 set aside to redesign the intersection because two developers provided money to help offset the cost of the intersection improvement project when housing was added to nearby neighborhoods.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.