Wonder World Drive extension opens

San Marcos (KXAN) - A major new thoroughfare opens with quite a bit of fanfare Saturday, July 24, in San Marcos.

The extension of Wonder World Drive will connect I-35 to Ranch Road 12. It is the largest transportation project in the city's history, and is opening ahead of schedule.

The 3.2 mile extension is a four-lane, divided parkway. It should help relieve congestion in downtown San Marcos and take some heavy truck traffic out of neighborhoods.

Mayor Susan Narvaiz said: "This project brings to fruition 20 years of dedicated efforts by our citizens, City Council, staff and the Texas Department of Transportation."

Congress appropriated $10 million dollars for the project in 2005. The city spent $16 million more and will be reimbursed from TxDOT in annual installments.

City, state, county and federal officials will participate in a dedication celebration tomorrow. The public is invited.

The day begins with the Run2Purgatory, a 5K fun run and walk. Ribbon cutting ceremonies follow at 10 a.m. The celebration also includes live music, a remote control car race, a barbecue lunch prepared by San Marcos Fire and Police personnel, as well as guided tours of the new parkway and the Purgatory Creek Preserve hike and bike trail. More than 500 acres of dedicated city parkland borders the limited access parkway.

Parking for the day’s events will be at the east end of the Wonder World Drive Extension at Hunter Road. Overflow parking will be available at Hernandez Intermediate School, 333 Stagecoach Trail.

Following conclusion of the festivities, construction crews will remove barricades open the roadway at 6 p.m.