The 68th Street bridge over the Arizona Canal in Scottsdale reopened Wednesday, following a 15-month emergency closure after inspectors found corroding steel weakened the structure.

The bridge partially closed in January 2018 after experts concluded that the entire bridge needed to be torn down and replaced.

The most cost-effective way to replace the bridge was to demolish and rebuild it during Salt River Project's canal dry-up, which occurs once every seven years, according to the city.

Some 17,000 drivers cross the bridge daily heading to and from Old Town.

Demolition and replacement of the main bridge structure took place over 28 days in January and February.

Sewer-line upgrades and improvements to the surrounding bicycle and pedestrian paths were completed in March and April, according to a press release from the city.

Scrambling to fix infrastructure

Scottsdale officials scrambled to find funds to pay for the emergency bridge work in 2018.

The City Council approved $4.56 million to pay for the repairs, with funds coming primarily from other planned projects and savings from recently completed projects.

Arizona Department of Transportation inspectors turned up five city bridges that need repairs. The other three can be handled over time, according to the city.

Construction on Drinkwater Bridge in Old Town began in December of last year. Drinkwater Bridge was built in the mid-1980s to provide an underpass for traffic and Civic Center Mall, which features public art such as the city's iconic LOVE statue.

Have a tip out of Scottsdale? Reach the reporter Lorraine Longhi at llonghi@gannett.com or 480-243-4086. Follow her on Twitter @lolonghi.

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