The I-85 bridge, which has been out of commission since a fire caused part of it to collapse March 30, could reopen as early as tonight, according to Channel 2 Action News.
That puts the bridge's reopening more than a month ahead of the original June 15 deadline.
During a news conference Wednesday, Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell McMurry said the interstate would reopen in time for Monday morning’s rush-hour commute. He said the northbound lanes probably would be open sometime Saturday and the southbound lanes sometime Sunday.
But contractor C.W. Matthews’ president told Channel 2 on Friday afternoon that timetable could be moved up if the lanes are ready, depending on weather.
Rain is expected Friday night and early Saturday in the metro area.
GDOT has planned lane closures and traffic pacing in the area before reopening the lanes for traffic.
In a related matter, Mayor Kasim Reed’s office announced Friday that the executive order that suspended non-emergency construction activity during the repairs had been lifted.
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C.W. Matthews could earn up to $3.1 million in incentives for finishing the repairs early. GDOT has said the project will cost up to $16.6 million, including incentives.
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The federal government is expected to pay at least 90 percent of the cost.
The fire was allegedly set by a homeless man and spread to construction materials GDOT stored under the bridge.
— Staff writer David Wickert contributed to this article.
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