SCARBOROUGH – Two new lanes along a busy two-mile stretch of the Maine Turnpike were opened to traffic Wednesday, completing the first part of a $135 million widening project that had been delayed for a decade.

The cutting of a red ribbon on the northbound side at Mile 41 set the stage for the opening of a third lane in each direction between Exit 6 in Scarborough and Exit 6A near the South Portland line.

About 70 people, including members of the Maine Turnpike Authority, legislators and contractors, took part in the noon ceremony.

Paul Violette, the turnpike’s executive director, said the section was completed ahead of schedule and $1 million below the early budget estimate of $6.4 million.

Noting that the two-mile section was the highway’s busiest, with an average of 85,000 vehicles passing through the construction zone each day, Violette praised prime contractor A&V Construction of Jay and its subcontractors for completing the work swiftly and with few traffic disruptions.

Julian Coles, chairman of the turnpike authority, complimented turnpike users for paying attention to construction updates, changing their travel patterns when necessary and showing patience during delays and backups.

“The drivers of the turnpike were critical to the success of this project,” Coles said. “We appreciate their patience and will call on it again as this project moves forward.”

The opening was two weeks ahead of the date originally planned because paving and line-painting crews completed their work ahead of schedule.

A newly widened five-mile section between York and Wells is expected to open by mid-December.

Construction on the additional lanes will be put on hold over the winter, but work will continue on four bridge projects.

Crews have been working at opposite ends of the 30 miles between York and Scarbrough that will be getting additional lanes. The plan is to meet around the midpoint, with a 2005 target date for completion.

The plan to widen the toll road to ease traffic congestion came to a halt after Mainers voted in 1991 to block any such project and put in place a policy which required state officials to consider alternatives before building new roads

In another statewide referendum six years later, voters reversed course and approved the widening.