News 12 at 11, June 29, 2009

AUGUSTA, Ga.---Anyone driving on I-20 or I-520 has seen lots of changes over the past two years, and just this week there have been a few more.

Gene Gilbert has been through the construction, and doesn't enjoy when he hits a stop sign getting on the interstate.

"When I saw the traffic backed up I remembered there was a stop sign there and probably 40 to 50 cars so I just went on down and took an alternate route," said Gilbert.

He hasn't been the only one re-routing in Augusta over the past two years. With orange barrels dotting the highways, many have looked forward to the end of the construction.

Now, DOT is one step closer, by opening the flyover bridge, which goes from westbound I-20 to eastbound I-520.

The entrance ramp from Washington Road to eastbound I-20 just changed from a stop sign to a yield sign, making it easier for drivers to get on the interstate, and DOT says it will get everyone used to what it will be like when everything is finished.

The finish date is earlier than the original by nine months. Most major construction should be done by August, with DOT then just doing some minor things until October.

"I think it's starting to wear on them, starting to get old now. We'll get it over as soon as we can," said Project Manager Sam Stutt.

"In the grand scheme of things we're not too bad. Here, a 5 to 10 minute wait is nothing compared to Atlanta," said Gilbert.

There should also be new changes by the end of the week, with ramps opening up at I-520 and Wheeler Road.

For the weekend holiday there will be no lane closure from Thursday at noon, to Monday at 5 a.m.