County officials opened a third lane on Industrial Park RoadFriday morning which they believe will help relieve some trafficcongestion there during the industrial park’s peak periods.

The $245,000 project added a left turn lane to Industrial ParkRoad onto Manufacturer’s Boulevard, the heart of the park.

“It is awful nice,” said Brent Hinton, general manager ofWal-Mart Distribution Center. “It gives us a lot of flexibilitywith traffic flow in our peak times.”

Hinton said there are times, especially in April and fromOctober through November, when delivery trucks are lined up twodeep all down both lanes of Manufacturer’s Boulevard trying to getinto the center, causing congestion that can slow travelers onIndustrial Park Road.

Hinton said District One Supervisor and Board President Bobby J.Watts approached him about the project a few years ago.

“We really appreciate his efforts to get his done – as I’m surethe area’s commuters do as well,” he said.

It became a “pet project” of the supervisor, Watts admitted

“It took three years to get it to maturity,” he said. “I’m soproud of it words can’t explain it.”

Cliff Brumfield, executive director of the Brookhaven-LincolnCounty Chamber of Commerce, said that in addition to easingcongestion along Industrial Park Road, the lane should slightlyincrease the efficiency of the two major industries in the park,Wal-Mart and McLane Southern Grocery Distribution.

Hinton said as Wal-Mart Distribution Center nears its 20thanniversary of locating in Brookhaven, the lane is a welcomeaddition to the park.