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Vanderbilt Drive opened to traffic today at approximately 3 p.m. as soon as the county inspected and verified that the Vanderbilt Drive Bridge Replacements Project was substantially completed and accepted. The $5.4 million project was completed two months ahead of schedule and within budget. The project replaced two bridges on Vanderbilt Drive that were more than 50-years-old and nearing the end of their useful lives. The first of the two bridges, Bridge Number 030178, which spans a tidal creek about seven-tenths of a mile north of 111th Avenue was completed in about five months. That new bridge includes two 11-foot travel lanes with shoulders, one for northbound traffic and the other for southbound traffic. The second phase of construction removed and replaced the second of the two bridges located 1.2 miles north of 111th Avenue, Bridge Number 030177, over Little Horse Pass. This new bridge includes two 11-foot travel lanes, an 11-foot northbound turn lane along with shoulders and a shared use pathway on the west side. Additional improvements to development entrances within the project limits, reconstruction of the Marina Bay Club/Vanderbilt Drive intersection, water and wastewater main replacements at both bridge locations and stormwater management features were also completed. Growth Management Department Head Thaddeus Cohen said the county is fortunate that the contractor, Thomas Marine Construction, Inc., was able to finish the construction ahead of schedule. “Despite the hard-hit Collier County took from Hurricane Irma last September, our construction team quickly moved to get this project up and running again which in the end saves the taxpayers and the traveling public, time and money; that’s a win-win situation for all of us,” Cohen said. Board of County Commissioners Chairman, District 2 Commissioner Andy Solis, was extremely pleased to hear that the bridge work was completed. “These two new bridges have useful lives of 75 years or more which is a lifetime for most of us and a great engineering achievement,” said Commissioner Solis. “Both year-round residents and seasonal visitors alike can now drive the length of Vanderbilt Drive again without a detour, and congestion on Wiggins Pass Road, 111th Avenue, and U.S. 41 should be relieved. I know everyone in the area will be delighted,” Commissioner Solis added.