INDIANAPOLIS -- If your daily drive takes you through Carmel on U.S. 31, you have a reason to celebrate today.
The multi-year $350 million project in Hamilton County is now complete.
The project took four years, but all lanes of U.S. 31 are now open through Carmel to Westfield.
Gov. Mike Pence -- along with local community members -- commemorated the completion Monday morning.
“Hamilton County has seen significant growth in recent years and ensuring our infrastructure keeps pace with this part of the state is essential,” Pence said in a statement. “The unprecedented progress on the new U.S. 31 in Hamilton County and points north is a tribute to the vision of leaders across Indiana.”
.@GovPenceIN and other community leaders commemorate the completion of U.S. 31. pic.twitter.com/nVKbVRSbfC
— RTV6 Indianapolis (@rtv6) December 21, 2015
Drivers will now be able to travel freely on the 13-mile stretch of highway that once had more than 30 traffic signals.
Officials estimate drivers will save about 30 minutes.
But drivers aren't the only group celebrating the completion of the project -- some business owners along U.S. 31 are also happy. The construction blocked access to several restaurants and retailers.
INDOT says about 74,000 drivers use that stretch of U.S. 31 every day.
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