Ribbon cut at Mason St.-Hwy. 41 interchange

GREEN BAY - West side Green Bay travelers will soon have a much easier time getting across Highway 41.  

The ramps and overpass at Highway 41 and Mason Street have been closed for six months.

"It's been a pain. Going all the back roads, getting to where we want to go," said Beth Cornelius of Suamico.

"It just adds extra time on my way to work and to and from work. It's just that extra five or ten minutes, I just have to get up a little earlier and it's just a little inconvenient," said Brian Harrison of Ashwaubenon.

The traffic troubles will soon end.

With the snip of a scissors Thursday, Green Bay area leaders and the Department of Transportation marked the upcoming opening of the new Mason Street Interchange, which is part of the DOT's US 41 project.

The $29 million project involved replacing the overpass, and constructing three multi-lane roundabouts at the ramps, and the Taylor Street intersection.

"The project will be more efficient to get through. Before there was quite a bit of backups during peak hour times, and we hope that is reduced, and your travels are a lot quicker and safer home," said DOT Construction Project Manager Eric Gwidt.

The project includes artwork from members of the Oneida Nation. These renderings show mosaics that will adorn the overpass.

"We tried to put a lot of the culture in there so a lot of the images are reflective of different art styles. Like I have some pottery in there, and some designs that were based off beadwork that were done by the Iroquois and the Oneidas," said artist Kaiona McDaniels.

The project which began in February is almost complete. The interchange officially opens Saturday, July 28th.

DOT officials say there are just a few loose ends to tie up.  

"It's mainly just a lot of pavement markings, signing, and lighting," Gwidt said.

And when it's all complete, drivers will be able to motor on their usual route.

"It'll be a lot nicer to just zip right on through," said Cornelius.

"I'm very excited, actually. I think the new roundabouts are going to make everything go way smoother too," Harrison added.

While the interchange will be open by Saturday, other work on the project is scheduled to last through mid-October.

However DOT officials say the continued work won't affect traffic as much.