It started with the governor, and before long the masses followed.
While the pomp and circumstance took place at the north end of the new Carson City Freeway, crews continued work on the next addition south of Highway 50 East.
At just after 2:40 p.m. the governor's motorcade exited the freeway and officially opened the first leg of the bypass. Shortly after, the cars started streaming off, having shaved about 10 minutes off their drive time, for the first time.
"It was great, very nicely done," Pete Henze, of Carson City, said while waiting for the light to change. "The soundproof walls are very nice and will help the people around the freeway."
After the motorcade came a white Jeep Liberty and two Nevada Highway Patrol cars. Several classic cars were among the first to make the drive. At 2:55 p.m. the traffic on Highway 50 East stopped and the on-ramp signal light turned green for the first time.
While southbound traffic was flowing freely by 3 p.m., northbound access from Highway 50 East was not opened until after minor problems with one of the traffic signals was corrected.
John Burns and Albert Acheta, both of Carson City, were among the first headed east after trying out the new freeway.
"I thought we made a wrong turn at first, but it's very nice and much quicker. It will save us a lot of time driving this way," Burns said.
Even before the northbound lanes opened, vehicles were attempting to turn onto the new freeway from Highway 50 East and had to be redirected. The northbound lanes of the bypass opened shortly after 3:15 p.m.
-- Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.
Freeway facts
Who paid for phase 1?
Carson City contributed $19 million for phase one, which came from a 5-cent gas tax established in late 1997. Federal and state funds for the project covered the remaining $101 million.
Total cost of the entire freeway: $330 million
Phase 1: From Highway 395 at Lakeview Hill to Highway 50 East. Cost: $120 million. The general contractor was Ames Construction.
Phase 2: From Highway 50 to Fairview Drive. The state will seek a contractor this summer. Lennie Boteilho, senior manager for Ames Construction, said his company will most likely bid on this phase. Cost: $50 million, to be completed in 2008.
Phase 3: From Fairview Drive to Highway 50 at the base of Spooner Summit. Cost: $110 million, to be completed by 2010.
Washoe Valley connection:
The interstate under construction in Washoe Valley will connect with Highway 395 at the north end of Washoe Valley. It is scheduled to be completed in 2009. The whole length - from Reno through Carson City - will be called Interstate 580.