Georgia Department of Transportation officials announced today the opening of a bridge in Midtown Atlanta - four months ahead of schedule.

The southbound I-75 and southbound I-85 entrance ramps to 14th Street and Techwood Drive also opened.

The bridge and ramps are part of the 14th Street Improvement Project, which began in spring 2007.

Local leaders, DOT officials and even mayoral candidates were on hand at the ribbon-cutting to celebrate the early completion of the roadwork.

The new bridge is wider and longer and boasts raised, landscaped medians and sidewalks.

DOT officials put the project's price tag at $88.5 million.

Still, not all of the work for the project is finished. Crews are set to finish resurfacing the northbound side of the Downtown Connector from 10th Street to the I-75/I-85 split in October. To finish it all off, a new northbound exit ramp to 17th Street is slated to open early next year.

Tags: Atlanta, Vance Smith, Midtown, DOT, Georgia Department of Transportation