The Skagit River Interstate 5 bridge will reopen June 19, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday.
The news comes nearly a month after an Alberta trucker with an oversized load crossed the “structurally deficient” bridge, causing it to collapse and sending cars and people into the river below. No major injuries were reported.
The incident caused major detours and delays for travellers between Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle. The bridge serves approximately 71,000 vehicles per day, reports King 5 News.
Despite the estimated USD $18-million price tag for both temporary and permanent replacements, the bridge will return to its “functionally obsolete,” classification, Department of Transportation spokesperson Travis Phelps told Herald Net News.
The speed on the re-opened bridge will be reduced to 40 miles per hour.
A permanent replacement is expected to be installed this fall.
Check out photos of the Skagit Bridge construction here:
Skagit Bridge Reopens I5 Highway
Watch time-lapse video if the repair here: