TEMECULA ---- The bulk of the $8.9 million Pechanga Parkway widening project, designed to smooth traffic issues near the Pechanga Resort & Casino, is finished.

And just in time.

The timing of the project's completion is ideal for the Pechanga tribe, which is hosting its annual Pow Wow on the reservation this weekend.

"We've looked forward to the widening of Pechanga Parkway for a long time," Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro stated in a news release. "These improvements will be a great relief to our tribal citizens, neighbors, and guests."

For the last year, crews have worked to widened the busy thoroughfare from four lanes to six lanes between the Pechanga Parkway Bridge near Temecula Parkway and Wolf Valley Road. The stretch of road from Wolf Valley southeast to Deer Hollow Way remains four lanes.

The 2.7-mile widening project also included the installation of curbs and gutters, sidewalks, landscaped medians and traffic signals. The intent, city officials have said, is to provide better access to and from the subdivisions of Redhawk and Wolf Creek, as well as the Pechanga Resort & Casino.

City engineers initially estimated it would cost $11.7 million to complete the improvements on one of Temecula's busiest roads. But bids for the project came in lower than expected, and the council awarded an $8.9 million construction contract to a Corona-based company last year.

Pechanga spokesman Jacob Mejia said there still is some work to be done, specifically, adding a dual right-turn from Temecula Parkway onto Pechanga Parkway. Enhancements to the traffic signals also are in the works to further improve traffic flow. The additional construction work is not expected to affect the flow of traffic, he added.

Pechanga has contributed $4.4 million to help pay for the improvements.

According to the resort's Department of Public Safety, the weekend is the second busiest of the year, behind only New Year's. Last year, organizers estimate more than 50,000 people attended the Pow Wow alone and more are expected at this year's event, which is free to the public.

Ray Meers, a longtime Redhawk resident who drives on the parkway almost daily, was excited to hear that the work was essentially complete.

"I think it's going to be good getting out of town," he said, talking about the northbound stretch of the parkway that funnels traffic onto Temecula Parkway toward the Interstate 15 interchange.

While the construction caused Meers and other motorists in the Redhawk area some delays over the last few months, he complimented the city for wrapping up the project in a relatively short time frame.

Comparing the construction to a similar project on Temecula Parkway, Meers said, "This was a lot quicker. Really wasn't as brutal as the other one was."

Call staff writer Aaron Claverie at 951-676-4315, ext. 2624.