On budget and ahead of schedule, the new $156,000 Onset boat ramp will open to the public on Friday, April 28.

“We’re glad because the season is picking up, and it’s great [the contractor] was able to stay within the timeframe and finished a few days short of the contract expiration,” said Harbormaster Garry Buckminster.

The contractor, Kingstown, Rhode Island-based Key Corporation, was set to begin work in early March. But for unknown reasons, major construction began much later than expected, and it appeared the company was in danger of failing to meet its April 30 deadline.

The company picked up the pace earlier this month and now boaters will be free to shove off starting Friday.

Buckminster said while the majority of the work is complete, landscaping and other cosmetic touches will be wrapped up in the coming weeks. Already, a half dozen boats have been launched during test runs, including one 27-footer.

Originally built in 1962, the boat ramp is located off of East Boulevard in Onset, on Broad Cove. Funds for the reconstruction came from a $100,000 Community Preservation Act grant.

The Bouchard Transportation Trustee Council also awarded funds for the project. That council is responsible for helping to clean up Buzzards Bay following an oil spill in 2003.