BIRMINGHAM, AL — What has been one of the most extensive and — unfortunately disruptive — traffic projects in Birmingham in decades may finally be completed in the next several weeks. During a monthly media briefing Thursday morning, Alabama Department of Transportation officials said a January completion for the project is possible.

The project, which was expected to last 14 months when construction began in January of 2019, could possibly see the bridges open by by January 21, according to ALDOT spokesman DeJarvis Leonard.

If the project finishes by the end of January, the contractor, Johnson Brothers Corp., earns a $15 million bonus, and Leonard said work is being done around the clock. ALDOT gave Johnson Brothers until March 21 to have the bridges open, or be fined $250,000 each day the bridge opening was delayed.