MOSES LAKE — Third Avenue in Moses Lake is expected to open by Thursday morning for traveling and shopping needs.

Project Engineer Richard A. Law said there is a 99 percent chance Third Avenue will open Wednesday night, if there is enough time to get the traffic barricades down.

The opening is expected to take place after the Columbia Basin Herald's deadline Wednesday.

The park will take longer to finish. The construction crew is still waiting on the delivery of the Sinkiuse Square restrooms, he said. The square should be complete by mid-December, weather permitting, he said.

Traffic is not interrupted by the continued construction of the square.

"Merchants are very excited," said Sally Goodwin, executive director of the Moses Lake Business Association. "They will be expecting a big weekend."

Friday and Saturday are big shopping days, she added.

People are curious and need to come out to see what is going on, she said.

"It just looks so wonderful with the sidewalks and the lighting," Goodwin said. "We're so glad it's finally open."

Goodwin urges people to come downtown to get a head start on holiday shopping.

Businesses are extending their hours for December.

All downtown businesses are open until at least 6:30 p.m. on Thursday and businesses are open until 8 p.m. on Dec. 1 for the Agriculture Parade, she said.