After more than two years of work, the Texas Department of Transportation has opened both lanes of the Rainbow Bridge across the Neches River. TxDOT spokeswoman Sarah Dupre said any remaining work on the bridge will not affect traffic.
TxDOT crews were on the Veterans Memorial Bridge restoring markers to the way they were before the detours were set for the Rainbow Bridge.
The Rainbow Bridge, which opened in 1938, went through a painting and repair project valued at about $26 million. Preparation work began in December 2014.
The project included stripping the landmark bridge of all paint and then applying three new coats of paint. Crews also replaced nuts, bolts and beams where they were needed. To do the work, one of the two lanes of traffic was closed at a time. The lane closure meant westbound traffic was often tied up because of the single lane being opened.
The Rainbow Bridge has a Texas Historical Marker and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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