The southbound lanes of I-495 through Wilmington, Del., have opened a month ahead of schedule following the realignment of the southbound lanes of the I-495 bridge spanning the Christina River, according to the state DOT.

Project planners had initially said the southbound lanes would be closed to traffic until the Labor Day holiday weekend, and the northbound lanes would be open two weeks to one month later.

The northbound lanes of I-495 are now expected to re-open by Labor Day,

I-495 between exit 2 and exit 3 has been closed to traffic since June 2 when the interstate, which parallels I-95 and serves as a bypass through Wilmington, was shut down due to an unsafe bridge condition in both directions of travel.

The 4,800 foot bridge normally carries approximately 90,000 vehicles per day.