Lots of smiles could be seen on the 57th Street Bridge in Temple, Texas this morning at the ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the end of the I-35 construction project.

KCEN reports that TxDOT was on hand to announce the completion of the 57th Street Bridge as one of the final steps of a multi-million dollar project that is now open to Central Texans. The project dates back to 2013 and was the second-largest contract to date to be handled by the Waco district (with the Waco project being the largest).

From 2013 to 2019 we have seen the main lanes widened to 4 lanes in both directions, rebuilt bridges, upgraded ramps, crossings and u-turns, a redesigned interchange at I-35/Adams-Central, and a reconfigured Industrial Blvd/Spur 290.

Assistant Temple city manager Erin Smith was at the ribbon-cutting and told the media, "The I-35 expansion project completion is incredibly important. There are visitors, Temple residents, and business owners who utilize I-35 every day to get to important Temple destinations such as retail shops, restaurants, and other destinations."

Thanks to Doug Bernhardt for snapping some photos of the ribbon cutting this morning and sending them our way.

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