Change is coming Friday morning after 40 years of back and forth in Albemarle County. Albemarle's portion of the newly named John Warner Parkway, formally know as the Meadow Creek Parkway, is set to open Friday morning following a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10:00.
Virginia Department of Transportation crews are putting up new traffic signals and getting ready for cars.
Stacy Londrey of VDOT said, "The work really picked up in the past couple of weeks to get the pavement marked and all the lanes striped as they should be"
They are also working to pull the current Meadow Creek signs down and replace them. Supervisors have renamed the 1.4 mile long road the John Warner Parkway. Albemarle will foot the bill to replace two signs at two intersections.
"I'm just happy that this is finally happening because Rio Road is a disaster and has been forever and ever and ever," said Albemarle County Supervisor Rodney Thomas.
Last month, supervisors moved to have VDOT open the road if it was safe. It cost $11.8 million to complete the road last October. It was open for a short period while VDOT made safety improvements to Rio Road.
Londrey said, "Drivers just need to pay attention to the lights and also the markings on the pavement."
The city's portion of the parkway is currently under construction with work set to be done by 2013. But the third piece of the puzzle, an interchange at the Route 250 Bypass, is being held up due to a federal lawsuit.
Thomas said, "I'm just excited that we got this part done and we can cross the next bridge so to speak when we get there."
A number of dignitaries will be here for the ribbon cutting including former Senator John Warner. A temporary signal installed at Dunlora Drive will be taken down Friday.
