JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Shands Bridge will remain open this weekend after grating repairs were finished ahead of schedule on Sunday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced Monday.
The bridge was closed to drivers from Jan. 26 to Jan. 29 and again from Feb. 2 to Feb. 5., forcing drivers to take detours spanning miles to avoid the Shands Bridge.
Getting from one side of the Shands Bridge to the other using the detour was more than 50 miles and driving the whole detour took drivers over an hour.
FDOT had planned to close the bridge again this weekend to finish replacing sections of old grating, but due to good weather and crews working "round-the-clock" on the bridge, the project finished ahead of schedule.
"The patience and support of the public during the weekend bridge closures was also instrumental in the successful completion of the repairs," FDOT said in a press release Monday.
The bridge will be completely rebuilt as part of the First Coast Expressway. The $595 million project started early last year and is expected to finish by 2030.