Traffic is moving a little more smoothly now that construction at Kellogg and Rock is nearly complete, but don't get used to it. City leaders are planning a new overpass to continue the highway until it reaches Andover.

So far, we've heard a lot of happy drivers who are now able to cross Rock Rd. without having to go through a stop light. It looks like we'll be construction free on the east side for several years before it moves closer to Andover at Kellogg and Webb Rd.

The Rock Rd. underpass has been open for a couple of days now and it's been a long time coming. But now it's time to keep chugging along, as city leaders have begun to design yet another major project.

"We need to be able to save up some money to be able to pay for these projects as we go or pay off some of the bonds that have been issued over the years," said Mike Jacobs, Special Projects Engineer for the City of Wichita.

That means the city won't be in a financial position to begin a new overpass at Webb Rd. until 2016 at the earliest, although Jacobs says he'll have the designs done within the next three years.

Meanwhile, the Rock Rd. underpass opened up earlier this week at a cost of $155-million dollars to Sedgwick County taxpayers. It was well worth the investment, according to Jacobs.

"Everyone had a smile on their face as they were driving by," he said. "And they were giving the thumbs up, honking their horns, rolling down their window and waving. I've seen a few people do that, but when every vehicle almost did it... I was kinda overwhelmed."

IN fact, now that Rock Rd. is complete, Wichita drivers now have 13 miles of freeway from the west side to the east side.

So what do drivers think? The people we talked to still had their reservations, but felt the construction was a necessary evil.

"I think it's worth it," said Gene Bevan. "It's been a little bit of a hassle, but not too bad. It could be worse."

"I probably won't go this way for a while yet," said Kathy Cowley. "But I wanted to experience it and see if it was better. It was for a few feet."

When it's all said and done, it looks like Kellogg will be stoplight-free from Goddard all the way to Andover, but, of course, there's no telling when that might be.