CARMEL, Ind. (WTHR) – If you use North Keystone at 96th Street regularly, you have to be smiling. That interchange, which was under construction for nearly two years, re-opened today.
Construction crews still have work to do but for the first time since June, 96th Street at Keystone is open to traffic.
And that's making life considerably easier for people like Arnold Wooden.
"I'm very happy it's open, very open," Wooden said.
That's because Wooden is a courier who has deliveries and pick-ups in the area every day.
"With all the construction going on it's really hectic going thru the detours, now it's a lot better," Wooden said.
Mayor Jim Brainard celebrated the final piece of the Keystone Parkway Project along with several community leaders Monday morning inside a dealership adjacent to the interchange.
Brainard said the interchange would "tremendously speed up traffic in the area," which had become extremely congested.
Brainard said the reconstruction would also make it safer, noting that it was rated one of the "worst rated intersections in Indiana."
The traffic signals have been replaced with an overpass and roundabout to keep traffic moving.
But construction also meant a bumpy ride for nearby businesses. Tom Wood Ford lost 120 parking spots to the project.
"People were avoiding this spot. We'd talk to customers who said they weren't coming back because of traffic so it will be much better," General Manager Mark Hume said.
Other businesses put up signs reminding customers they were still open.
Business slowed so much at the Bob Evans restaurant that they cut back on their hours, closing for dinner. Signs say that during construction they will be open from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Cat Care Clinic, on Haver Way, just off 96th Street, also took a hit.
"A lot of folks said it was a struggle to get here," Manager Amber Bowlin said. "They couldn't find the entrance to our place. We ended up closing because people didn't wan to come during construction and rush hour."
But like others we talked to, Bowlin is hopeful the changes are for the better.
"[Traffic] definitely moves better across Keystone and we're hoping with 96th Street, now that you're able to cross it and not detour, our business will pick up," Bowlin said.
She and her customers also looking forward to a shorter commute.
Crews still need to finish the final layer of asphalt, permanent pavement markings and landscaping. That work is expected to be completed this spring.