The new four-lane section of U.S. Highway 59 through Douglas County is expected to be open by Wednesday afternoon.

Officials with the Kansas Department of Transportation said the multi-year highway project is all but complete and unrestricted traffic on the new highway — which runs between Lawrence and Ottawa — should begin by “afternoon or early evening” on Wednesday.

KDOT spokeswoman Kimberly Qualls said that during the next few days, motorists should expect a few minor lane closures as cleanup work is completed.

As work winds down on the new highway, Qualls said crews will begin making improvements to the former U.S. Highway 59, which will become a frontage road for local traffic.

Qualls said several sections of pavement will be replaced on “old Highway 59.” Work is expected to begin in the next few days, and is scheduled to be completed by late next summer.

Wednesday’s opening will mark the completion of $145 million worth of road work, which converted U.S. 59 from a two-lane state highway into a four-lane freeway between Lawrence and Ottawa.