NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WHAS11) -- We may be able to drive across the Sherman Minton Bridge next week.
On Tuesday, Indiana transportation officials said construction is way ahead of schedule. That means a big payday for the Louisville based company Hall Contracting.
Kentuckiana residents share feelings of relief knowing repairs to the Sherman Minton Bridge are nearly complete.
For many, the bridge shutdown means longer commutes. For Horseshoe Casino, it means less business.
"Especially during those peak times we do see admission go down a little bit" Andy Matheis, Horseshoe Casino marketing director, said.
Starting this week, the Indiana Department of Transportation says it will start restoring lanes where I-64meets I-265 back to how they were pre-bridge closure.
With that, motorists should plan for lane closures and possible delays at the I-64, 265 interchange.
"It cannot open soon enough. We cannot wait," Jerry Finn, executive director of Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, said
Finn says the organization put up a $1 million incentive if the project was finished before February 5.
In some small way we're hoping the money we put on the table was able to move this process and get this bridge open earlier," Finn said.
Though ahead of schedule, the project wasn't completed in enough time to get Horsehoe's money. Still on the table for Hall Contracting is $100,000 per-day for early completion from INDOT.
