The traffic commute in northeast Bakersfield will get a little easier with Tuesday’s opening of a new interchange on State Route 178.

City of Bakersfield spokeswoman Chris Budak says there is more than just safety and visibility improvements to the area, new on and off ramps and a bridge over Morning Drive will help traffic in the area including Mt. Vernon Ave.

The project began in August 2013 and cost $28-million.

The project was a coordinated effort by T.R.I.P., (Thomas Roads Improvement Program) which is a cooperative effort between the City of Bakersfield, County of Kern, Caltrans and the Kern Council of Governments. The program was named in honor of former Congressman William M. Thomas.