FILE PhotoBENTON, Ky. - The Eggner's Ferry Bridge in Western Kentucky officially re-opened to traffic Friday afternoon, two days ahead of schedule.
Crowds were allowed to walk across the bridge until noon, and then the bridge opened to vehicular traffic at 1 p.m.
The bridge has been closed since it was struck by a cargo ship, the Delta Mariner, on the night of January 26.
Since that time, transportation officials have worked overtime to get the 322-foot section that was torn away put back in place in just 121 days.
The repairs were a top priority largely because of tourism in the area. The collapse caused drivers to detour an additional 42 miles around the area.
The bridge carries U.S. 68 between the western shore of the lake and the Land Between the Lakes recreation area. It is vital to summer tourism in the region.
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
