Bridge over I-285 reopens ahead of schedule

A grateful motorist waves at construction workers after a major connection over Interstate I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to commuter traffic Monday morning, April 22, 2024, just after 9 a.m. Drivers who use Mt. Vernon Highway began crossing the interstate again after the new bridge opened bringing relief to drivers who have been subject to longer detour delays because of the closing of the  Mt. Vernon Bridge over I-285. Repairs have been ongoing since September when a tractor-trailer hauling an excavator on I-285 hit the underside of the bridge calling into question the integrity of the bridge by officials resulting in its shutdown. The aging bridge was previously scheduled to be replaced as part of the Georgia DOT project to add a new lane on I-285 westbound. The new bridge now has just two lanes, one going in each direction. (John Spink/AJC)

Credit: John Spink

Credit: John Spink

A grateful motorist waves at construction workers after a major connection over Interstate I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to commuter traffic Monday morning, April 22, 2024, just after 9 a.m. Drivers who use Mt. Vernon Highway began crossing the interstate again after the new bridge opened bringing relief to drivers who have been subject to longer detour delays because of the closing of the Mt. Vernon Bridge over I-285. Repairs have been ongoing since September when a tractor-trailer hauling an excavator on I-285 hit the underside of the bridge calling into question the integrity of the bridge by officials resulting in its shutdown. The aging bridge was previously scheduled to be replaced as part of the Georgia DOT project to add a new lane on I-285 westbound. The new bridge now has just two lanes, one going in each direction. (John Spink/AJC)

The Mount Vernon Highway bridge over I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to vehicular traffic on Monday, months ahead of schedule.

Sandy Springs is advising drivers to use caution as crews work to complete pedestrian features on the bridge.

A new Mount Vernon Highway bridge was under construction last fall, when a tractor trailer hit the existing bridge. The Georgia Department of Transportation estimated repairs would take nine to 10 months. Instead, the new bridge opened Monday morning, according to a city of Sandy Springs social media post.

A major connection over Interstate I-285 in Sandy Springs reopened to commuter traffic Monday morning just after 9 am. Drivers who use Mt. Vernon Highway began crossing the interstate again after the new bridge opened bringing relief to drivers who have been subject to longer detour delays because of the closing of the  Mt. Vernon Bridge over I-285. Repairs have been ongoing since September when a tractor-trailer hauling an excavator on I-285 hit the underside of the bridge calling into question the integrity of the bridge by officials resulting in its shutdown. The aging bridge was previously scheduled to be replaced as part of the Georgia DOT project to add a new lane on I-285 westbound. The new bridge now has just two lanes, one going in each direction. (John Spink/AJC)

Credit: John Spink

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Credit: John Spink

Detours to Roswell Road, Riverside Drive or Long Island Drive while the bridge was under construction added significant delays to motorists’ drive time.

A commenter on Sandy Springs’ Facebook page wrote, “Hallelujah!” on news of the bridge opening.

Motorist told Channel 2 Action News, which first reported the opening, that they hoped their commute time would now be reduced.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported that the new bridge is part of a project that adds an auxiliary lane along I-285 between Roswell Road and Riverside Drive.