New California 1 Bridge Over Carmel River Opens Early

The new California 1 bridge over the Carmel River opened Friday, 16 days ahead of schedule.

The permanent, 450-foot span replaces a 61-year-old bridge that was irreparably damaged during severe storms in early March. A temporary, one-lane bridge went up a week later.

Officials took part in a ceremony to mark the event, riding over in the first car to cross the bridge.

The state Department of Transportation had expected to finish the permanent bridge by May 26, just before the Memorial Day weekend--an important date on the Monterey Peninsula, where tourism is a major industry.

But the contractor finished early, earning a bonus of $320,000--$20,000 a day for each day the project was finished ahead of schedule. The federal government paid the entire $4.7-million construction cost.

Officials said state and federal officials streamlined the process of replacing the bridge, allowing the new span to be designed and built in less than two months.