Could it really be?

Thousands of anxious commuters may see their decade-long dream come true - in a matter of weeks.

Officials had hoped to surprise the region next week by announcing the next, and final, stretch of the 210 Freeway would open next Thursday.

But some of the equipment for the ramp meters experienced problems, and there are a number of little things that remain to be done.

Still, they're reasonably optimistic the new freeway will be open by the end of this month.

"I can't wait for it to happen," said Fontana Mayor Mark Nuaimi, who also sits on the board of San Bernardino Associated Governments, or Sanbag, which with Caltrans is finishing what may be the last new freeway in Southern California.

The final 7.5 miles from Rialto to San Bernardino, under construction since 2003, will connect to the 30 Freeway at the 215 Freeway and provide an uninterrupted run from the 10 in Redlands to the 5 Freeway in the north San Fernando Valley.

Originally known as the Foothill Freeway, the first segment of the freeway was completed in the Arcadia area nearly 40 years ago.

After the latest portion of the freeway opened between La Verne and Fontana in November 2002, Inland Valley foothill cities saw the completed sections through their areas spark a boom in new high-quality development.

Rialto and San Bernardino expect to reap the benefits next.

The freeway also should take a good deal of pressure off the 10 Freeway, which resembles a parking lot during rush hours.

The soon-to-be-opened freeway extension will feature three lanes plus a car-pool lane in each direction.

The most expensive single component has been the bridge over Lytle Creek, designed to stand up to the nastiest earthquake the San Andreas Fault can throw at it or the worst flood the mountains can hurl through the creek.

Last month, an estimated 20,000 people came out to the section in Rialto and San Bernardino for the "Come Play on the Freeway" celebration - a chance to bike, run and party on an eight-lane thoroughfare.

When the opening date is firmed up, Sanbag will plan some type of special event.

Staff writer Andrew Silva can be reached by e-mail at andrew.silva@sbsun.com. or by calling (909) 386-3889.