Allisonville bridge now open to traffic

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - North side drivers received a welcome addition to their morning commute.

The Indiana Department of Transportation reopened the Allisonville Road Bridge Tuesday morning.

The bridge that sits over Interstate 465 was scheduled to stay closed for seven months. However, crews rebuilt the bridge in four months.

"We have pursued this project aggressively," said INDOT Spokesman Nathan Riggs. “It's remarkable we have been able to do this in four months."

Although the reconstructed bridge has reopened, the $19 million project is not complete.

Crews still must add shoulders, ramps and sidewalks to the interchange. It's estimated it will take three weeks to finish that phase of the project.

The new interchange will consolidate traffic signals which will keep the area less congested.

"It's exciting, it's been hard to get around here," said driver Jennifer Thompson.