Encore Parkway in Alpharetta has reopened as a through street after its closing in January for the rebuilding of a bridge over Ga. 400.

The bridge was being widened with dedicated bicycle lanes, sidewalks and a landscaped median. Encore connects the North Point Mall area east of Ga. 400 with residential and commercial areas and the Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre west of the expressway.

Officials of the city and the North Fulton Community Improvement District say the project transforms a local “cut through” into a “signature east-west connection from the Big Creek Greenway to the thriving Westside Parkway corridor.”

“While the project is not yet fully complete, the bridge opening to traffic on time honors our promise to businesses and residents of having the bridge accessible for the holiday shopping season,” said Kerry Armstrong, North Fulton CID board chairman.

The $17.9-million project is jointly funded by Alpharetta, North Fulton CID, Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta Regional Commission and Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank. It is scheduled to be completed in July. Information: bit.ly/1LTin2Y