Further expansion in this area is planned to start in 2010 with two tollway lanes added in each direction.
A fiber optic system along the tollway routes connect the system components.
The southern connections were completed after 1980, when the downtown portion of the tollway system was completed.
The tollway is expected to bring an increased retail and restaurant presence to the city.
The tollway authority expected the extension to cut travel times in the region by 20 percent.
One of the last issues settled prior to the opening of the tollway was the highway's number.
The southern extension is expected to become an economic catalyst for municipalities located along the tollway.
The tollway authority would build a water collection system to divert runoff from the arboretum.
