Central Texans knows construction all too well as it continues to grow, but Temple residents are getting some relief after part of Prairie View Road is opening after more than a year of work.

Prairie view Road in Temple opened a portion of its new paved section near the North Belton Middle School.

Gone are the days of clunking over unpaved portions and dodging potholes as the city now works to demolish the old side, to turn it into a four lane road.

As more housing developments are built in the area, the new road will accommodate that traffic.

The road also connects Belton’s North Middle School to its new high school and has local parents excited for a safer environment for their kids.

"Much needed repair on the road also a little more safer for the children walking to school. The sidewalks and the sidewalks going in allow a lot of the kids to go in and walk on the actual sidewalk versus trenches.” Local resident Jose Sepulveda said.

The road will also ease travel for those going from Morgan’s Point to the outer loop, which the city says will eventually tie into I-35 north and south.

“Going from two lanes to four lanes. Divided median and we're taking two intersections and making one with a traffic signal at 317 because as most people know the old intersection with 317 was a challenge.” Temple deputy engineer, Richard Wilson, said.