A project to replace almost 900 feet of bridge in southeast Colorado Springs on Circle Drive is nearing its end, with the westbound side ready to handle traffic after two years of construction.

“What we’re celebrating is a vital connector in our transportation network. Circle Drive serves thousands of drivers every single day,” said Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade, who attended an event for the second phase of the project on Thursday.

The celebration was de ja vu from last year, when the mayor and student performers from nearby Harrison High School came out on the newly paved eastbound bridge to mark its opening to the public. At that time, construction on the westbound side was just beginning.

The multiple bridges spanning Fountain Creek, East Las Vegas Street and the Hancock Expressway were a priority project approved by voters through the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority. The original bridges were built in 1963 and had reached the end of their useful life.

The full project cost is estimated to be $40 million.

The new westbound surface is undergoing final touches, with an estimated opening near Thanksgiving. On Thursday, members of the local Stockers Car Club made an inaugural drive across the new bridge.

Between the two bridges, one of the old structures still remains to carry westbound traffic. That bridge will need to be removed to finish the project. Construction will remain active, including a two-week closure of East Las Vegas Street underneath the bridges so that crews can construct a permanent concrete barrier to protect the bridge piers. That closure was set to start Monday.

The two new bridges are made out of “pre-stressed” concrete, which allows for longer spans between supports. The original bridges were steel.

Both sides also have sidewalks for pedestrians, which the old bridges lacked.

While the bridge project is coming to a close, drivers will still see construction on Circle Drive in the new year. The roadway is earmarked for repaving through the 2C sales tax for road improvements.

“We’ve heard a number of concerns about potholes on this street, and that’s honestly fairly typical for roads that are scheduled to be repaved,” said city engineer Ryan Phipps.