YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, Calif. -- For many years the Tunnel View overlook has been one of the most popular sites at Yosemite National Park -- and one of the most treacherous. On Friday, amidst a celebration that included the Secretary of the Interior, Yosemite showed off the site's new makeover.

Tourists seeking to capture one of the most photographed scenes on earth -- the long look past Yosemite Valley's granite icons to Half Dome seven miles distant -- no longer have to dodge cars to do it.

A $3 million redesign of the viewing area where tourists emerge from the Wawona Tunnel to the vista that provided Ansel Adams one of his trademark photographs has created a destination worthy of its surroundings.

With Yosemite National Park’s granite monoliths as a backdrop, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne Friday announced the completion of a much-needed makeover to the historic Tunnel View Overlook, the first project of the National Park Service Centennial Initiative.

"The rededication of this famous site shows that we can rise to the challenge of reinvigorating our national parks with stunning results," said Secretary Kempthorne. "It is our hope that projects and vistas like this will inspire support and interest in preserving our national parks."

Hundreds attended a ceremony to mark the completion of the overlook, a place photographed by thousands daily for its expansive views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. Funding for the $3.3 million restoration came from the nonprofit Yosemite Fund, which contributed $1.8 million from over 2,000 donors, and $1.5 million from the National Park Service. Today’s celebration was modeled after the dedication marking the opening of the site in 1933 with vintage automobiles, an honor guard and a blessing by American Indians.

"Tunnel View is 75 years old this year and it has never looked better. We’re proud to be able to partner with organizations like The Yosemite Fund to rehabilitate this iconic view to the benefit of all park visitors," said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Mike Tollefson. "It’s a fitting way to celebrate the approaching 100th anniversary of the National Park Service and the 20th anniversary of The Yosemite Fund."

The Tunnel View Overlook Rehabilitation Project features larger and safer viewing areas, unimpeded views, wheelchair accessibility, educational exhibits, a rebuilt trailhead, revamped parking areas, clearer circulation patterns for vehicles and pedestrians, and improved drainage. These issues were addressed while maintaining vistas and the naturalistic, rustic character and integrity of this historic site.

"This is money well spent, it looks like to me," said Gary Galloway of Pickford, Mich., after posing his family on the granite block retaining wall for a Christmas card shoot.

Before the five-month redesign, tourists stopping at the Tunnel View Overlook navigated an uneven lot paved atop the millions of tons of granite riprap blasted from the two-lane tunnel beneath Inspiration Point. There was no handicapped access, and a five-foot wide sidewalk at the vista's edge forced photographers to stand in the driveway to capture posing loved ones.

It wasn't safe given that drivers entering the lot after a mile shrouded in tunnel darkness were distracted by their first glimpses of Yosemite Valley. Neither was it a fitting foreground to the expanse carpeted by incense cedar and framed by sheer granite cliffs that is one of the world's most beautiful views.

The redesigned and landscaped parking lot, a bronze relief map of Yosemite Valley and signs explaining how glacial forces carved it greet as many as 7,000 visitors a day.

The 3,450-square-foot overlook also offers a glimpse of the Merced River, whose prehistoric meandering formed the glaciers' path.

The renovation is the first in the nation completed under the Centennial Challenge, a public-private partnership to repair and rebuild the areas where most visitors form their impressions of national parks.

The group picked the overlook for its 20th anniversary project because the view forms its logo, said President Bob Hansen.

"Our members believe that Yosemite has given them so much, so it's nice to give back," he said.