FORT WAYNE, IN (Indiana's NewsCenter) --- It took decades, but the Maplecrest Road extension finally has won approval.

Allen County Council members voted 6 to 1 on Tuesday in favor of a large bond issue to fund the work that will connect Northeast Fort Wayne with New Haven.

But it may take twenty to thirty years to fully grasp whether the project is worth the big commitment of taxpayer money.

Supporters argue the 1.1 mile stretch of roadway and bridges that will link Lake Avenue to the north with State Road 930 in New Haven to the south will transform travel in the eastern part of Fort Wayne.

But the 55-million dollar price tag, including 40 plus million dollars fronted by local taxpayers, made several county council members nervous.

A cost-benefit presentation, suggesting that even in a worst case scenario, there would be enough money to fund the project and still be able to pay for some other bridge projects over the next quarter century, helped Council Member Cal Miller vote "yes".

Cal Miller/(R) Allen County Council: " I'm sure the Maplecrest Road extension will turn out to be a wonderful economic development tool and resource for years and years and years to come for our community."

Fort Wayne City Council Member Tom Smith was the lone opposing voice expressed at Tuesday's meeting.

He believes the millions being spent on Maplecrest could produce better benefit if the money was used for some other purpose.

Tom Smith/(R) 1st District Council: " With this project going through, we'll see a WalMart built about two miles south of Georgetown Square. That could hurt business revenues in the northeast part of Fort Wayne."

But Georgetown Shopping Center co-owner Steve Jehl is convinced the project, first proposed back in the 1970's, will bring new customers to his stores as well.

He spoke at the meeting, telling of a picture of an old man wearing a Chicago Cubs uniform, still waiting for that elusive championship.

Steve Jehl/Georgetown Square: " He says, I'm waiting for the pennant, and 2008 might be the year for the Cubs, it looks like it's definitely the year for the Maplecrest Road expansion too."

Actually 2009 Is the year when people will see real progress on the Maplecrest job, as construction is set to start next spring.

The bond amount approved was 25-million dollars.

Some other local monies are involved, along with about ten-million in funds from the federal government.

There will be no hike in local taxes, but other bridge repair projects may be delayed longer, until the Maplecrest project is largely paid off sometime after 2030.