The final paving of Little Italy's Preston Street is taking place after two years of road construction. (CBC)

Torn-up sidewalks, dust and jackhammers are now part of the past for Ottawa's Little Italy as the community's main drag, Preston Street, was reopened to traffic Thursday after two years of road-blocking work by the city.

At her family restaurant, La Roma, Antonella Ceglia said Thursday it was tough for business having big holes in the middle of Preston Street while the city replaced the century-old sewer system.

"A lot of people we'd [normally] see regularly shied away from Preston Street altogether. So, now that things are more organized, we're starting to see some old faces again," she said.

Ceglia said the $30 million in improvements are impressive.

Joe Cotroneo, owner of Pub Italia on Preston Street, said it will be a long time before Little Italy is back in full swing. (CBC)

"The sidewalks have been widened significantly, which will allow restaurants to open patios, which will be a huge feature. [There are] cobblestones as well, lots of interlock, park benches, lighting in the evening, so it's going to be a beautiful site," she said.

Next summer, Preston Street will get more landscaping and public art.

Joe Cotroneo, who owns Pub Italia, said it will take about that long before Preston Street is back in full swing.

"Well, you know, it's going to take a little while even to get customers back. People get used to an alternate route. They end up going other places, and sometimes it's more convenient," Cotroneo said.

But Ceglia hopes business will pick up even sooner.

"We're thrilled that it's over, and it was actually just in time for the Christmas season, which is a busy time of year for any restaurant, really," she said.