SPOKANE -- Completion of the North-South Freeway is still a long way off, but it took one step closer to completion on Tuesday.

Washington State Senator Patty Murray joined the project managers for a groundbreaking on Tuesday afternoon, marking the start of construction on the southbound lanes between Farwell and Francis.

The northbound lanes through the three-and-a-half mile stretch opened last year. The entire project is decades in the making.

"Reducing congestion, cutting down on commute time, saving families money on gasoline helping local business grow in a region that is one of Eastern Washington's most important economic engines. Of course it will help get workers back to work," said Senator Murray.

The stretch of road is expected to employ about 100 people, and should be completed in 2012.