MADISON — Toyota Field looked a bit like Mudville on Thursday as the long-awaited opening of the new Town Madison exit off I-565 struck out mightily in rain.

Louis Breland: “This has been a long, long time coming.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

Moving the celebration into the open-air Toyota Field concourse from the exit ramp, the Madison Chamber of Commerce, Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Madison County Commission Chair Dale Strong, District 2 Commissioner Steve Haraway, and executives from the Breland Companies joined Rocket City Trash Pandas General Manager Garrett Fahrmann to cut the ceremonial ribbon despite the weather.

“This has been a long, long time coming,” said Louis Breland whose vision of the Town Madison development brought it to life over the past five years. “I’m excited because I truly believe Town Madison will be, that Town Madison is, the premier development in the state of Alabama.

“I don’t think there is another 2.5-mile, 500-acre development like it anywhere else in the state.”

He went on to say 20 to 30 tenants have committed to the sprawling gateway into the Tennessee Valley, and there are more than 6,000 people who live and work there.

“It will be a truly memorable walk back and forth between restaurants and retail, sports and residential and it is just now getting started,” he said. “We all believe Town Madison will truly be a regional gift that keeps on giving to the city of Madison and will continue to do so for the next 100 years.”

“What a great day for Madison and a great day for Madison County,” said Strong, who Breland said has been there “every square inch of the way from day one.” “We have something very unique that has happened here, and I want to thank Commissioner Steve Haraway who represents this district. He has been at the forefront of making sure this happens.”

Strong and Haraway said the interchange is not just a convenience for Town Madison, but it will improve traffic flow for Redstone Arsenal, especially those who commute from surrounding counties.

Mayor Paul Finley: “It brings us out of the situation we were in for the past year, and this is exciting for our city and for us as a regional destination.” (Photo/Steve Babin)

“I would also like to thank Mayor Finley, who has worked tirelessly throughout his term to get this project open, and to get this interchange open ahead of the first home Trash Pandas game,” said Strong.

Opening night for the Minor League Baseball team at Toyota Field is May 11.

Finley said it has been clear how important the opening of the interchange is based on the traffic coming in and out of the development recently.

“This is a big day for us,” he said. “We have been waiting a long time to open the ramp and there have been a lot of promises made about the timing, but here we are. Without this ramp, we do not reach our fullest potential as a regional destination.

“We are going to keep moving forward too, because remember this is just the first phase and we are committed to making phase two happen soon.

“Whether the stadium is full or close to full on May 11, it is the first step we will take toward enjoying this summer,” said Finley. “It brings us out of the situation we were in for the past year, and this is exciting for our city and for us as a regional destination.”