WILMINGTON - The Registry of Motor Vehicles has only the weekend to dismantle the Reading branch and be ready for business on Monday morning in the new Wilmington location, but Registrar Anne L. Collins is anticipating a smooth transition.

"When the doors of the Reading branch close this Friday night there will be whirlwind of activity to move everything to Wilmington so we can open for business at 8:30 a.m. sharp on Monday," said Registrar Collins. "We have planned for every contingency to insure there is no break in service for our customers."

The Reading RMV is one of the busiest branches, servicing more than 17,000 customers in October.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles moved from its rotund East Woburn location on I-93 in 1988 and by 2001 the RMV began looking for more space to serve Burlington, Reading, Woburn, Winchester, Wilmington, Lynnfield, Wakefield, Stoneham and North Reading. However, the new lease never transpired and the RMV stayed next to REI in Reading at 275 Salem Street. Prior to Woburn, the RMV office locally was in Malden Cener

The new branch location in Wilmington will occupy over 10,000 square feet and was chosen because of its easy accessibility. The building, located at 355 Middlesex Avenue, is within walking distance from the North Wilmington Commuter rail station and is three-quarters of a mile off Route I-93.

All 26 full and part-time employees in Reading will move to the new branch which will feature state-of-the-art electronic systems, larger work-stations and improved accessibility for disabled customers and employees.

The Wilmington branch will be open from 8:30 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:30 a.m to 7:00 p.m on Thursdays.