'Hooray!': City, State Officials Celebrate I-85 Reopening In Atlanta

ATLANTA, GA -- City and state officials celebrated the reopening of Interstate 85 after a fire and bridge collapse closed the corridor for more than a month. On hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, were Gov. Nathan Deal, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) Commissioner Russell McMurry.

“When this portion of I-85 collapsed on March 30, Georgia residents and motorists from around the Southeast were confronted by an unexpected and tremendous challenge,” said Deal in a statement. “The Georgia Department of Transportation, employees of C.W. Matthews and the people of Georgia responded remarkably by overcoming this challenge in just six short weeks. Georgia’s success is largely the result of strong partnerships that we enjoy, and the same can be said of this particular chapter in our unfolding story.

The bridge fire and subsequent collapse made national headlines as prognosticators said that the city's midsection would be paralyzed for several months, even into next year. Buoyed by financial incentives, work crews refashioned the bridge in a record-setting six weeks.

"In Georgia, we get things done, and this is a prime example of multiple levels of government, the private sector and the general public working together for the best possible result," Deal said. "I commend the efforts of everyone who worked to make the early reopening of I-85 possible.”

GDOT work crews totaling 54,000 hours of manpower in around-the-clock shifts to repair the bridge.

Friday marked the reopening of the northbound lanes of the I-85 bridge over Piedmont Road. One day later, the southbound lanes reopened, an accomplishment that finished a staggering five whole weeks ahead of the original June 15 projection. On Monday morning, the city was back to normal with all lanes going.

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Representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., were presented with plaques at the ceremony.

“We at GDOT understood the urgency and acted accordingly to reopen this corridor in record time,” McMurry said in a statement. “We appreciate the support we received from Gov. Deal, Sec. Chao, our federal, state and local partners, members of the State Transportation Board, and our employees, all of whom were instrumental in making this happen. Above all, we are grateful to the people of Georgia for their understanding, patience and resilience.”

“The workers who helped to make today possible - the men and women who worked tirelessly to build this bridge - have impressed the nation and earned our thanks,” said Secretary Chao. “The real heroes are right here, among us. Each one of them represents America’s best.”

I-85, a major thoroughfare of the Southeastern United States, carries nearly 243,000 vehicles a day, officials said.

Three people were arrested in connection to the fire and bridge collapse, but one suspect has become the face of the incident. Basil Eleby was charged with arson and criminal damage to property. Sophia Brauer and Barry Thomas were each charged with criminal trespassing.

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Images via G-DOT