The highway project that creates a direct connection between Interstate 81 and Fort Drum's main gate opened Thursday.
Note: This story previously aired on November 27, 2012.
The Fort Drum connector road has cost $57 million and added 4.8 miles of new roadway. Work began in summer 2010, and is now complete.
Michael Flick is a spokesman for the state Department of Transportation, and spoke to WRVO in November.
"The large bridge over Route 11 is now essentially complete, and we are tidying up, if you will," he said. "They're doing the finishing touches on the project overall, and we're hoping for an opening sometime in the next two weeks."
Flick said a handful of small, weather-dependent items are still in the works, including striping, trim and signal work.
"There will be no ingress or egress or access on or off the connector once you get on at 81, but once you get to Route 11, you'll be able to either go directly into Fort Drum, or north- or south-bound on Route 11," Flick said.
The project is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on Routes 11 and 342.