KELLY FARRELL / Staff

City Council Chairman William Trotter, Savannah, 7, and Delaney, 10, cut the ribbon to celebrate the reopening of the Winterberry Bridge Friday. Savannah and Delaney's family live on the east side of the bridge and said they enjoyed watching the construction crew complete the work.

KELLY FARRELL / Staff

Marco City Councilors Rob Popoff, Frank Recker, Wayne Waldack, Ted Forcht and William Trotter enjoy the grand re-opening of the Winterberry Bridge Friday.

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How often do you hear about a construction project that is completed ahead of schedule, under budget and in a such a manner that a nearby resident speaks enthusiastically about how friendly the construction workers were?

That was the case Friday at a ribbon-cutting and reopening ceremony for the new East Winterberry Bridge.

The $5.2 million bridge project was completed six weeks ahead of schedule and $200,000 under budget, according to Public Works Director Rony Joel.

Angie Kunkle, a new homeowner on the east end of the bridge said the construction workers were friendly and accommodating.

“We got to know them quite well. They saw the mini van coming and would wave us in. We’re going to miss them,” she said.

The bridge reopened just moments after 12 p.m., Friday, and the first drivers to cross the bridge said they were pleased to take the short way home for the first time in about nine months.

The first vehicle over the bridge was Marco Fire and Rescue Engine 50 driven by firefighter Leo Rodriguez, followed closely by resident Jean Koch, who drove the first car eastbound directly after Rodriguez.

“I wasn’t sure if I could cross over yet. It’s wonderful,” Koch said, adding the bridge reopening will save her at least 15 minutes each day.

Councilor Frank Recker who lives on Inlet Drive just around the corner from the project said it was an “exciting event” for him as well.

“Just even driving to the movies or Nacho Mamas ... I can’t say how much longer it took ... but it would often times seem significant,” he said of his longer route down San Marco to Landmark Street over the past nine months.

As might be expected, there were a few bumps in the road during the construction project.

Judy Rudas, a resident on the west side of the bridge said she had problems getting her trash picked up from Waste Management for a couple weeks, but the city helped her address the problem and eventually they worked things out.

“It was nice living on a cul-de-sac for a while,” Rudas added.

The East Winterberry Bridge, closed since Sept. 17, 2007, was a 33-year old structure, aged further by the effects of hurricanes. It is now a new, 120-foot long, 36-foot wide structure which should allow safe, smooth passage over Roberts Bay for another 75 years.

This is the second city-owned bridge constructed by TBE Group.

“They’ve done an excellent job ... It was a positive experience and I’d like all our projects to work in the same manner,” Joel said regarding the team work and communication involved.

He added that there are still some “minor punch list items” which will be completed within the next few weeks.