Bridge re-opens and everyone's thankful

Merchants, service businesses, restaurant owners and commuters found something to be thankful two days before Thanksgiving when, after hearing the Route 90 bridge would not re-open until sometime next month, the traffic began to flow on Tuesday.

Rumors that an early opening was possible were quashed last week when State Highway Administration District Engineer Donnie Drewer held fast to his mid-December prediction. But Drewer was merely being cautious and, maybe, a little politic.

There is nothing better than beating expectations and this district of the SHA has done that repeatedly. That's why, when Drewer projected that the work would go on well after Thanksgiving, some people doubted it would take that long.

Considering that the SHA has a habit of finishing its repair work ahead of schedule - as was the case with the Route 50 bridge repaving just last spring - there was no real reason to think that wouldn't be the case this time as well.

So why did Drewer not predict an earlier finish on the Route 90 job? Well, it's a weather thing, mostly. If there is anything that's unpredictable this time of year, it's the weather. As seasons go, late fall is a meteorological mess, as was illustrated by this month's mix of incredibly nice conditions followed by a major storm.

If it's tough to forecast the weather conditions over a six-week period, it's equally difficult to establish a precise work schedule. Weather science simply isn't that good in an area surrounded by water. That being said, anyone with any sense would leave himself some wiggle room just in case.

Obviously, that was the situation in this instance. But it's all beside the point now. The bridge is open again and everyone is thankful for that.