State and local leaders gathered Wednesday to celebrate the impending opening of the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway linking the East and West Valley.

The South Mountain Freeway project has been three decades in the making.

Gov. Doug Ducey said boosting transportation infrastructure is necessary as more and more people move to Maricopa County.

“This 22-mile highway represents a big step forward in connecting the East Valley and the West Valley and an alternative to the I-10 and the Broadway Loop through downtown Phoenix,” Ducey said.

Ducey said the project involved local, state, federal and tribal partners.

The highway will display signage honoring Congressman Ed Pastor, who many speakers called a champion of improving infrastructure.

ADOT says the freeway will be complete by the end of the year.

Tim Agne/KJZZ

ADOT Director John Halikowski (from left); Karla Petty, Federal Highway Administration division administrator; Gov. Doug Ducey; Tempe Mayor Mark Mitchell and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego celebrate the Loop 202 project.