It has been five years since traffic has moved freely through the stretch of U.S. 19 in both directions near Clearwater Mall.
Construction on the $112 million road project started in 2009 and now a busy portion of the project has opened near the Clearwater Mall.
Crews began removing barricades overnight and two new northbound lanes are open at U.S. 19 and State Road 60.
On Thursday, southbound lanes were opened.
On Saturday, crews are expected to open the new northbound on-ramp from Nursery Road to U.S. 19.
Still, Florida Department of Transportation officials say the construction is far from over.
"It started in late 2009," FDOT spokesperson Kris Carson said. "We have milestones for the contractors to meet to try and get the job done even quicker so we’re hoping by next spring everything will be complete."
The frontage roads will remain open for drivers going to a business, or they can stay on the overpass.
According to FDOT, the southbound lanes that opened Thursday night forced the shift from the frontage roads to U.S. 19.
Two lanes in each direction will be open, giving drivers a free-flowing, signal-free corridor on U.S. 19.
The outside lane will be closed in each direction as the contractor works on permanent ramp connections. All of the construction is expected to be complete by March 2015.