HOBART | The Ridge Road expansion project finished slightly ahead of schedule, and all lanes of the road are open to traffic more than a year after construction on the $4.4 million project began.

Peter Kohut, executive vice president of the engineering firm Butler, Fairman and Seufert, said the lanes opened about two days ahead of schedule, although landscaping work, irrigation systems, signs and signal timing devices will not be completed until November.

The project widened the east-west thoroughfare to five lanes, including a center turn lane, from east of the bridge near Indiana Street to Lake Park Avenue.

Hobart Mayor Linda Buzinec worked to secure funding for the project. Eighty percent of the cost was covered by a federal highway bill that passed more than six years ago. The remaining 20 percent was covered by state highway money.

Buzinec said few people took her seriously years ago when she started pursuing funds for the project.

"I'm very excited it came to fruition," she said. "It's good to see the project end and finally be open."