After nearly two years as a major construction zone, all lanes of Buffalo Speedway through West University Place will open on Friday (Feb. 17).

The city made the announcement Thursday, and indicated that crews would likely be going through the punch list of final details into April.

The $32.2 million project took about five years to plan and fund, with intensive public feedback and information sessions. After breaking ground in April 2021, work was done to re-surface the major artery and to install new drainage to replace the 1940s-era original — often necessitating detours and road closings.

With the federal government funding about 80 percent of the project, U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas Dist. 7) was front-and-center with elected officials and city staff at the ribbon cutting marking the ceremonial completion last month. The ceremony also included representatives of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and contractors.

More on the project is available here.