The second span of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge opened to traffic on Sunday, but don't expect your commute to be measurably easier any time soon.

"It wasn't any different from any other morning," said commuter Natasha Spears. "Once it got to the bridge, it opened up faster than it normally does."

Road crews transitioned the Inner Loop of the Capital Beltway onto the newly completed span on Sunday, after a weekend of lane closures and major delays.

But despite the new span, there are still only three lanes operating in each direction - the same as before.

The only real difference will be the path commuters use to get onto the bridge. The old design had an awkward 'wrinkle', an odd turn for drivers who were approaching or departing the bridge. The new design eliminates that.

Commuters who spoke with ABC 7 reporter Matt Brock Monday say the commute was a little easier. Many commuters who use Interstate 295 say switching to the new span has dramatically reduced congestion approaching the beltway.

The real change should arrive sometime this fall, when the express lanes open. That will add two additional lanes in each direction across the Potomac River.

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