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Sunshine Bridge construction ends ahead of schedule

8 years 3 months 2 weeks ago Monday, December 07 2015 Dec 7, 2015 December 07, 2015 10:33 PM December 07, 2015 in News
Source: WBRZ

DONALDSONVILLEAhead of schedule, the Sunshine Bridge was completely open for commuters Monday.

A $25 million construction project on the bridge connecting St. James and Ascension Parish ended months ahead of schedule. Since April 2012, crews have been cleaning, painting and making repairs to the bridge. The project was not set to be completed until spring 2016.

The contract said additional work crews and equipment helped accelerate the process.

This project was important because it completed the required major maintenance and preservation of this significant structure which crosses the Mississippi River,” said Aaron Elisar, an area engineer for DOTD.

The project closed lanes and routinely caused traffic issues.

"It is much nicer to go to your job in the morning," a commuter told WBRZ reporter Brett Buffington after driving the bridge Monday evening.

The Sunshine Bridge was built in the early 1960s and handles about 22,000 motorists each day.

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