A $4.5 million road project aims to help revitalise Lavington's central business district, but some traders remain concerned about traffic access and safety.
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Albury mayor Kevin Mack and member for Albury Justin Clancy on Monday marked the end of the Wagga Road beautification scheme from Kaylock Road to Barlow Street.
The works, carried out by Excell Gray Bruni, included a new road surface, tree planting and landscaping to create an avenue effect, more parking in the McDonald Road and Barlow Street area, central medians with trees and a new pedestrian refuge.
Cr Mack said nearby business owners had been "incredibly patient" while the former highway route was transformed.
"For a long time it suffered from the history of the corridor and the trucks and now you've got local traffic, you've got great parking, you've got beautiful landscaping," he said.
"The priorities for now are getting the businesses back into Lavington, so that we can see further investment."
Albury Council provided $2.5 million towards the project while the NSW government contributed $2 million.
Mr Clancy also thanked businesses for coping with the construction period.
"It's good to see completion and the impact that will have now on the local economy, providing a landscape, streetscape that is more amenable for local shopping," he said.
"As we look to move through COVID, we need to start thinking about the support that will be needed in terms of recovery for our communities as well."
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Four Wagga Road operators that spoke to The Border Mail on Monday said the altered streetscape could make it harder for trucks to access sites and the new configuration threw up driver vision issues.
But Think Water owner John Boers said the final plan represented an improvement on the original design.
"Albury Council listened through meetings and adjusted the drawings," he said.
"They've compromised, they've changed, they've done everything that we asked and they've done a pretty darn good job, I think."
Snaffles Saddleworld owner Eliza Mylon said the quieter service lane would be safer, but felt the upgrade had restricted parking and traffic flow.
"I've watched the ambulances trying to get out on to the highway to get to accidents, they can't overtake anyone now," she said.
A Plus Automotive Electrical owner Gary Danson accepted Wagga Road had now changed.
"It might look sort of pretty, but I personally don't think it's functional," he said.
Spitwater moved into Wagga Road only three weeks ago and so missed the worst of any disruption during construction.
"There's good and bad, but that's all part of it," manager Kristy Medwell said. "It's nice now it's finished."
