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I-85 Bridge To Reopen Monday, Gov. Deal Announces

May 10th, 2017

The area of Interstate 85 that’s been closed since a massive fire caused it to collapse in March is expected to reopen as early as Monday, Gov. Nathan Deal announced at a press conference Wednesday.

Last week the Georgia Department of Transportation announced they were on track to open before Memorial Day weekend.

“I am pleasantly surprised by the short time frame and we all should be,” Deal said at the conference. “It is a testament to the dedication of a lot of people.”

The roadway may reopen as soon as this weekend, dependent on final tasks and the weather, officials said. Crews still have to install joints between the bridge’s beams, finish pouring concrete barriers along the highway, install electrical work and clean up construction debris before reopening the bridge.

I-85 near Piedmont Road has been closed in both directions since the overpass collapsed on March 30. The construction has progressed quickly due to a series of “best case scenarios,” GDOT said.

Officials have said the bridge reconstruction will cost up to $16.6 million, most of which is expected to be covered by the federal government. The contractor will receive the full $3.1 million incentive for meeting contract deadlines early, said Department of Transportation spokeswoman Natalie Dale.

An estimated 250,000 drivers use the stretch of Interstate 85 that has been closed, leading to congestion on side streets and an uptick in MARTA use.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.