The ribbon has been cut on the new Southwest Greenville Bypass.

A ceremony was held at 11 a.m. to mark the completion.

The bypass opened up Thursday afternoon to drivers.

The 12.6-mile stretch, south of Ayden to Greenville, will finish months ahead of schedule. It runs from the U.S. 264 interchange with Stanstonsburg Road to join the existing Highway 11 just below Ayden.

It will alleviate traffic on Highway 11 and allow motorists a four-lane bypass around the western side of Greenville.

The $250 million project began in August 2016.