(AP) — Officials say the new Interstate 80 interchange on the east side of Kearney will do far more for the city than just feed tourists to the Great Platte River Road Archway.

The interchange opened Tuesday with fanfare and visitors including Gov. Dave Heineman, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and other officials.

The interchange was first sought to stimulate and accommodate city growth. The city for years had but one way off and on the interstate. The new interchange will help the growing city as well as help the city provide emergency services.

Joel Johnson of the archway foundation board says the interchange indeed will help the tourist attraction, which has declared bankruptcy. The route from the longtime Kearney interchange to the archway museum required westbound travelers to double back.