Construction on 18th Avenue NW, one of Austin's busiest streets is about finished, said Mower County Engineer Mike Hanson.

In fact, traffic should be open to the roadway on Wednesday and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion will take place at 11 a.m. near the former Checker Auto Parts store.

Once completed, the road will be four lanes wide in addition to turning lanes in some areas. The last layer of blacktop will be added in the spring.

"The road will be open Wednesday. That's what we are shooting for," Hanson said.

Unfortunately, time has run out on starting construction on sidewalks.

"It is going to winter the way it is. Construction workers will finish smoothing it out and proceed to add final touches in the spring," Hanson said.

Hanson said everything that was required in the contract is done.

In the spring, crews will finish sidewalks, lighting and medians.

"Those were reserved for the spring, originally," Hanson said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana.com