After a month’s worth of construction a ribbon cutting was held for a new roadway in Stuart and those that made it possible Friday.

Karl Chevrolet Owner Carl Moyer, Stuart Mayor Dick Cook, and other Stuart residents gathered at the newly extended Southwest 8th Street, located between the former Burger King location and Casey’s General Store, which is under remodel. Moyer explains how he paid $150,000 for the new route to his business, which will also serve as a new route for semi trucks and other vehicles traveling to Casey’s instead of turning at Southwest 7th Street. “All along the City has been trying to get a deal worked with Casey’s and right down to the end of getting a deal made with Casey’s this road was in question, who was going to pay for it? And it’s important to me and our business here as it is to Casey’s so anyway, I offered to pay for the road.”

Cook comments on the new street, “It’s a great benefit to the community and I hope we have more businesses show up here with his expansion. We have DICA coming in shortly, the restaurant right beside us here we’ll have to see what happens there. But he’s a very influential person coming to this town and helping out, and I think it’s going to be a big attraction for different companies looking to move here.”

Construction began on July 27th for Southwest 8th Street. A completion date for the new Casey’s gas station is unknown as a portion of Southwest 7th Street near Division is currently closed for the project.