By Julie Bierach, St. Louis Public Radio
ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Department of Transportation opened the new Union bridge over Interstate 55 this morning. MODOT says the bridge is opening 30 days ahead of its original December 31st deadline.
MoDOT and its contractor Fred Weber Incorporated opened the northbound entrance to I-55 at 10:45 this morning. The bridge had been closed since March for a complete demolition and rebuild. Built 50 years ago, the bridge had deteriorated over time and suffered structural damage.
Kristy Yates, MoDOT's south area engineer, said that the Union bridge is open to both vehicles and pedestrians.
"The new bridge has a sidewalk, which is great, because it connects the sidewalk from Spring down to Hoffmeister which is where Grant's trail is," Yates said, "So, that's a great thing to be able to add to the new bridge."
The bridge replacement was completed within its original $4 million contract.