be open to traffic

USAGE SUMMARY

This is a correct sentence in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to when an area is available for people or vehicles to move through or around. For example, "The road will be open to traffic shortly after construction is complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The street would still be open to traffic.

The New York Times

The tunnel is scheduled to be open to traffic by late 2015.

The New York Times

Between Croatia and Serbia, only the main Bajakovo crossing, on the highway between Belgrade and Zagreb, appeared to be open to traffic on Friday.

Independent

This bridge was assumed to be open to traffic 4 months after the railing was cast.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Even if construction had begun in that year, the highway would not be open to traffic until 1975.

Wikipedia

Workers also will begin striping the lanes this week, and all five remaining ramps should be open to traffic this week, he said.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Stanley inspection of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which is expected to be opened to traffic sometime next summer.

The New Yorker

China's president, Jiang Zemin, also wants a rail line from Pyongyang to China to be opened to traffic from South Korea.

The New York Times

To be opened to traffic immediately, sealed accelerants, triggered by the compact pressure when paved, were employed to accelerate post-cure of EACs.

Construction and Building Materials

By Harrison Kinney and Brendan Gill The New Yorker, September 10 , 1949P. 19 Stanley inspection of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which is expected to be opened to traffic sometime next summer.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, September 10 , 1949P. 19 Stanley inspection of the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, which is expected to be opened to traffic sometime next summer.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing infrastructure projects, use "be open to traffic" to indicate the completion of a road or bridge and its readiness for use. For example, "The new highway will "be open to traffic" next week."

Common error

Avoid using "be open to traffic" if the area is only temporarily accessible, such as during off-peak hours. Instead, specify the hours of operation or restricted access to avoid misleading readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be open to traffic" functions as a predicative adjective phrase indicating that a road, bridge, or other transportation route is available and accessible for use by vehicles. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be open to traffic" correctly and commonly denotes that a road or route is available for vehicular use. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news, encyclopedic, and general informational contexts. While its register is neutral, it effectively communicates accessibility. Remember to use it when indicating routes ready for vehicular use, and avoid it when describing temporary or restricted access. Consider alternatives like "be accessible to vehicles" or "permit traffic flow" for nuanced expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be accessible to vehicles

Focuses on the accessibility aspect, emphasizing vehicle access specifically.

be available for traffic

Highlights availability, suggesting the road or area is ready to accommodate traffic.

allow vehicular passage

Uses more formal language to describe permitting the movement of vehicles.

permit traffic flow

Emphasizes the continuous movement of vehicles rather than just access.

be traversable by vehicles

Focuses on the ability of vehicles to pass through a specific area or road.

be passable for vehicles

Similar to traversable, indicating the condition of being able to be passed through.

be clear for traffic

Implies that any obstructions have been removed, making way for vehicles.

be unobstructed for vehicles

Similar to clear, but emphasizes the lack of obstructions preventing movement.

allow the passage of vehicles

A more verbose and formal way of saying that vehicles are permitted to pass.

facilitate vehicle movement

Highlights the ease and smoothness of vehicle travel in a particular area.

FAQs

What does it mean when a road is "open to traffic"?

When a road is "be open to traffic", it signifies that vehicles are permitted to use it for travel, typically after construction, maintenance, or temporary closure.

What are some synonyms for "be open to traffic"?

Alternatives include "be accessible to vehicles", "be available for traffic", or "permit traffic flow", depending on the context and level of formality.

How is "be open to traffic" different from "be opened to traffic"?

"Be open to traffic" describes a current or general state of accessibility, whereas "be opened to traffic" refers to the action of making something accessible, such as a new road or bridge.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "be open to traffic"?

It's suitable for discussing infrastructure projects, road conditions, and travel updates, particularly when indicating that a route is available for vehicular use. News reports and official announcements often use "be open to traffic" to communicate road status.