 In 1980, the state department of transportation began preliminary planning for a wide-scale project to widen the highway to five lanes (including a center turn lane and sidewalks) in 1980.The state legislature funded the widening project in 1990 with proceeds from a statewide gas tax increase, which coincided with the end of the development moratorium.The first phase of the project, from 228th Street near Canyon Park to 208th Street at Thrashers Corner, was completed in 1991 at a cost of $5.6 million.