MoDOT has been working on the seven-mile stretch of Highway since late 2006.  The $68 million project is just one phase of the reconstruction located South of the Niangua Bridge Near Route 7.  Included in the project are four bridges, and two interchanges. 

About 100 people attended the ribbon-cutting including citizens, politicians and people who worked on the project.

"This is a huge improvement, this has been several years in the making," said MoDOT engineer Eric Schroeter.  The seven-miles of new roadway reaches from Camdenton to Olathe Road. 

Camdenton citizens say they are excited about the new roadways and hope it will help with traffic and safety.  

"Oh I think this is a big deal for the whole community," Roger Smith said.  Smith owns a gas station in conjunction to Highway 54 and Highway 5 and is looking forward to the amount of traffic that will pass through his store.  

Phase two of the project spands from Olathe Road to Lebanon and will be completed December 2010.  In total, the project costs $158 million once all phases are complete.  Voters approved Amendment Three back in 2003 which helped pay for the project as well as some private funding and MoDOT. 

The ribbon ceremony began at 10:30 a.m.  followed by evening activities at 5:30, including a car show and a bounce house for kids. Fireworks go off at 9:00 p.m.

The highway will then be open for public traffic.