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Part of I-495 Bridge Could Open Before Labor Day

!-495 Sign Delaware Transportation Department

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Transportation officials in Delaware say a portion of the closed Interstate 495 bridge may re-open ahead of schedule, weeks before Labor Day.

Officials announced the development Wednesday. The bridge, which typically carries about 90,000 vehicles daily, was closed June 2 after officials learned several columns were tilting.

Temporary repairs had been expected to be complete by Labor Day, but on Wednesday officials said the southbound lanes could re-open before then. The state's transportation department did not give a specific date.

The department says crews are nearing completion of underground foundations that will be used to temporarily support the bridge and getting ready for the next phase of work.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.