PHOENIX -- The Arizona Department of Transportation opened two new southbound lanes along I-17 Thursday morning.
This first section of new lanes between Happy Valley Road and Loop 101 are part of a massive $142 million project to reconstruct I-17 while adding two new lanes in each direction between Loop 101 and Carefree Highway.
Construction started in February 2008.
Crews worked overnight to complete lane striping on the rubberized asphalt pavement and remove construction barricades so the new three-mile stretch of southbound lanes, including a carpool lane, could open in time for the morning rush hour.
ADOT says about 110,000 vehicles drive along I-17 each day.
Two new exit lanes that directly connect to Loop 101 are expected to ease traffic flow along southbound I-17.
Crews also reconstructed the Deer Valley Road traffic interchange.
ADOT says two new northbound I-17 lanes are expected to open between Loop 101 and Jomax Road in November 2009.
Completion of new lanes between Jomax Road and Carefree Highway is expected by early 2010.
A separate $11.2 million project to add a third lane in each direction along I-17 between Carefree Highway and Anthem Way is scheduled for completion by spring of 2010.
This project is among dozens of state highway projects being funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
