More than 3,500 people attended a ribbon-cutting event in September 2008 to celebrate the opening of a new 4.5-mile section of I-15 Express Lanes north of State Route 56. During the event – hosted by SANDAG and Caltrans – a parade led by San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders broke the ribbon. Visitors walked down onto the new lanes, enjoyed children’s activities, and listened to live music. The $1.3 billion “expressway within a freeway” will stretch 20 miles along I-15 from SR 163 to SR 78 when completed in 2012.