LIBERTY, Mo. — Heavy rainfall canceled Monday's ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new dual bridge on Missouri 152 over Interstate 35.
But traffic will be flowing across the new bridge Wednesday, alleviating traffic congestion and easing drivers’ frustrations.
A cacophony of heavy machinery has filled the air during the last few months in the area of the interchange, but it's finally reaching a crescendo with the opening of the new dual bridge.
The project's progress received rave reviews at the Palen Music Center.
"I’m glad it’s going to be reopened, because you would have to leave a little bit earlier, because you never know which detours or congestion you’re going to run into," Michael Berry, an instructor at the center, said.
The detours were a time-consuming inconvenience for employees.
"It’s made a 30-minute drive to about 45-minute drive," Lana Moerer, another employee, said.
The Palen Music Center, now at its new home off Missouri 291, said the closure didn't impact business too much, but others in the area weren't so lucky.
During construction, the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce launched a social media campaign called "Bridging Liberty" in conjunction with the city.
The goal to encourage people driving through the detours to shop at the variety of businesses near the interchange.
"Business owners say it hurts a little bit," Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce President Gayle Potter said. "Hey, (business owners) know it's also a minute, a minute in the scheme of life. And it's something we, of course, are getting back, and when we do we're going to have that much more expansion for businesses to grow."
The Chamber of Commerce said they'll continue to collaborate with their partners, including the Missouri Department of Transportation, until the project is complete.
"It’s going to make it a whole lot better, easier for the Liberty community to get around where it needs to go," Moerer said.
While the bridge reopens Wednesday, the entire project is expected won't be completed until August 2020.
