I-495 North Reopens After Summertime Closure
Crews work on the Interstate 495 bridge over the Christina River near Wilmington, Del., Tuesday, June 3, 2014, after it was closed due to the discovery of four tilting support columns. The closure created heavier-than-normal traffic conditions for motorists on Interstate 95, a major East Coast artery. The bridge normally carries about 90,000 vehicles a day. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Commuters crossed I-495 northbound over the Christina River this morning, the first Monday commuters have been able to use the lanes since June.
The northbound lanes of the I-495 bridge over the Christina River were officially reopened on Saturday afternoon. That stretch of highway had been closed since the beginning of June after an inspection of the bridge showed four of the 37 support columns were tilted.
The closure caused significant headaches for the 90,000 drivers who take I-495 daily.
The southbound side of the bridge reopened at the end of July, but motorists traveling northbound had to continue to use alternate routes.
The bridge repairs cost $45 million. Although the bridge has been made safe for travel, crews continue to work on permanent repairs.
Previously: I-495 Bridge Closed Indefinitely Due to Tilting Support Columns
