The re-opening of the segment from the water tower roundabout to just south of Elgin Boulevard ends a long period of rejuvenation for the city's commercial heart.

Initially the street north of the old railway crossing to South Street was transformed in 2017 as part of a $10 million revamp targetted at the shopping precinct.

In addition there has been two new shopping centres opened - Wodonga Place and Mann Central, anchored respectively by Woolworths and Coles-Kmart - in that time.

The unblocking of High Street will allow traffic to move past the post office, but more importantly it has opened an area that is more inviting to pedestrians.

Wodonga Council has long argued the aim of the makeover was to have the retail hub appeal more to shoppers wanting to wander and to push through traffic around the area via a ring road.

Given the single lanes both way, two zebra crossings and low speeds, congestion won't be too far away on weekdays.

The biggest short term issue is the number of empty shops along the affected stretch.

The upgrade has been used as an excuse for businesses not opening in vacant premises, but it has also contributed to the departure of shops such as the sports store and Subway takeaway.

Now will those empty buildings fill up?

It is a big question because clearly the retail floor space in Wodonga has expanded with the two new shopping centres and there are queries about whether the city's economy can support so many premises.

In the long term, High Street should become more attractive, particularly as the tens of saplings that have been planted along the centre median strip grow.

There is great potential with the former Coles supermarket to trade again as a chemist and much seating that will be more appealing in warmer months.

It is now a case of whether the public will the walk the walk after the council has long talked the talk on High Street.

Receive our daily newsletter straight to your inbox each morning from The Border Mail. Sign up here