AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The expansion of one of Augusta's major interstate highways is expected to be completed after New Year's following several months of delays and costs that have exceeded the project's budget by $3 million.

The Augusta Chronicle reports (http://bit.ly/1HQ6Kn5 ) the Georgia Department of Transportation says the widening of the Bobby Jones Expressway is expected to wrap up in January. The $29.8 million project has been under construction since March 2012. It was supposed to be finished in July, but then got pushed back to Dec. 22.

DOT spokeswoman Cissy McNure says weather delays and holiday restrictions have pushed completion into next month. She says crews are still installing lights and signs, finishing landscaping and painting lines.

Also known as Interstate 520, the expressway encircles most of Augusta's metropolitan area.

___