APEX - The newest section of the Apex Peakway, which will eventually loop around this western Wake County town, opened to traffic Friday.

Construction on the half-mile section, which began in June 2010 and cost $3.6 million, finished on time and on budget, the town said.

"Completing this portion was a great leap on the part of the town to finance and construct," Town Manager Bruce Radford said in a prepared statement. "This addition will add great value to Apex citizens and visitors as a way to navigate around town."

A 200-foot bridge over CSX railroad tracks made up a large part of the cost. The new crossing means the town will close the at-grade crossing on Moore Street.

Also, a new traffic signal at the Peakway's intersection with North Salem Street will improve safety, according to Kent Jackson, a town construction management director.

"The new Peakway section will also help to improve traffic circulation on current nearby routes," Jackson said in a statement.

What's next

The town will immediately begin construction of the newest section of the Apex Peakway, a 1,100-foot section between Laura Duncan Road and Old Raleigh Road, which is planned to open in spring 2012.

The final sections of the Peakway loop are between N.C. 55 and Center Street and Old U.S. 1 and Tingen Road.

The town will construct the sections as development occurs in those areas.