GUILFORD — The detours and disruption in Algiers Village have ended. The Route 5 bridge is now open.
Project information officer Jill Barrett said Aug. 4 that the newly constructed bridge was reopened to traffic that evening, four days ahead of schedule.
Route 5 in Algiers Village had been closed since July 21 while the Vermont Agency of Transportation replaced the deteriorated 1925 bridge with a structure that has wider travel lanes and will better accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians.
Bridge shoulders were widened by four feet and a new sidewalk constructed. The previous bridge had no sidewalk and 1-foot shoulders.
Renaud Bros. of Vernon constructed the new bridge at an approximate cost of $2.5 million.
While the bridge is open to all travelers, Barrett said the contractor will remain at the site in the coming weeks to complete the project.