NEW YORK - Drivers are now using the second span of the brand new Kosciuszko Bridge.

It opened early Thursday morning after an elaborate opening ceremony the night before including a light show with music from Billy Joel via satellite from Madison Square Garden.

The Empire State Building was also lit up in honor of the occassion.

The first part of the new bridge, which connects Brooklyn and Queens, was completed in April 2017.

Once that was in place the original bridge, built in 1939, was demolished to make room for the second span. 

The new bridge will have nine lanes - five going to Queens and four to Brooklyn.

The original had just six.

"The new bridge is smart. It has more lanes - they are wider lanes. It is not as steep a bridge, so the traffic can move faster. It's going to reduce traffic 65 percent. That will make the environment better," said Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Governor Cuomo was on hand for a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, arriving in a vintage car once owned by FDR.

The bridge was completed on budget and four years ahead of schedule due to an accelerated construction plan.