"Road Closed" signs were removed from a one-half mile strip of Whitewood Road Friday, providing motorists and emergency vehicles improved access to Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

Its opening marks the end of a nearly seven-month process to pave and widen the road to four lanes between Clinton Keith and Baxter roads. Without it, motorists traveled the two-lane Antelope Road to access the medical center.

Murrieta Fire Station No. 4, which serves the northeastern part of the city, is also located on Baxter Road.

The project was originally scheduled to start Dec. 20, 2010, but heavy rains pushed its start date back.

With the new road comes a new name. Previously known as Meadowlark Road to residents, City Council in March approved a name change to Whitewood.

A speed limit for the roadway has not been determined yet, but is likely to mirror that of Whitewood south of Clinton Keith, according to City Engineer Pat Thomas.

He said the speed limit will be posted once average speeds are recorded, and set accordingly.

"It is a major roadway so it is designed for 50 miles per hour traffic," Thomas said.

As a sign that it is still a work in progress, one lane was still closed Friday between Clinton Keith and Linnel. Additionally, temporary stop signs are being used along the roadway section until traffic signals are completed at both the Clinton Keith and Linnel Lane intersections.

With the completion, Whitewood now extends from the south at Murrieta Hot Springs. Plans for the north-south road are for it to eventually connect to Keller Road and then Scott Road at the city's northern limits, according to Thomas.

Construction is also wrapping up on the Clinton Keith/Interstate 215 bridge and interchange, as is the six-lane widening project that fronts Vista Murrieta High School.

Thomas said the city is planning an Aug. 1 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the entire project.

"It should all be being used and opened by then," Thomas said.