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The Alabama Department of Transportation gave Dallas County residents an early Thanksgiving present on Wednesday, as they reopened a segment of Alabama 14 through the Blue Girth Swamp where two bridges were replaced ahead of schedule.

Workers removed the barrels and barricades blocking the segment of Alabama 14 from Water Avenue until County Road 306, allowing motorists to use the highway for the first time since Feb. 12.

While the bridge replacement was expected to be completed in the spring of 2025, the project was completed ahead of schedule. As of early November, construction on the bridges was complete, but ALDOT needed to finish paving, painting lines and install guard rails before they could open it to through traffic.

“Even though the bridges are open and the detour is no longer in place, crews will still have final items to complete. Please remain mindful of people and equipment in the work zone and follow the posted speed limit,” ALDOT said in a statement.

The $3.4 million project was awarded to Murphee Bridge Company out of Troy, which had the lowest bid that med project requirements. Motorists traveling from Selma to Prattville had to detour using Alabama routes 41 and 140.