We all remember the Katy Freeway expansion project, the road closures, the detours, and all that construction! Drivers paid the price to see the freeway expand from eleven to eighteen lanes.

Drivers that we talked with say it was worth the pain.

"When I do use the Katy the expansion helps out a lot" said commuter Robert Badeaux.

"Actually I have saved quite a bit of time. It still has some traffic, but not nearly what it was," said James White.

Commute times are down according to the Texas Department of Transportation. They are down significantly during the peak commute times from the Grand Parkway to the 610 Loop.

"Motorists were experiencing time travel savings as much as 15 minute in-bound and 12 minutes out-bound," Lewis said.

Those travel times were before the Katy Tollway opened up for H-O-V and EZ Tag users. They are called "managed lanes." Now travel times are even better.

"We really are seeing some improvements as result of that at capacity along I-10," said Lewis.

The pain of construction began in 2003 and ended late last year. Drivers are glad it's over, and glad it's easier to go west.

"Yes, without a doubt, without a doubt I'm very excited about that," said John Chaney.