The construction of Veterans Memorial Bridge along Orange Avenue in Daytona Beach has reached a key milestone: Completion of the bridge deck, leaving Volusia County officials hopeful they will be able to open the span to traffic in March.

The long-awaited completion of the new Tom Staed Veterans Memorial Bridge is near, Volusia County officials announced Wednesday.

The driving surface, or bridge deck, is now completed, according to a Volusia County news release. "Work will proceed on finishing touches to get the span ready for its anticipated opening to the driving public in March," the release states.

[PHOTOS: 1st of its kind in Florida, Daytona‘s Orange Avenue bridge takes shape]

[READ ALSO: More than a year behind schedule, Daytona bridge aims to open in March]

Those final punch list items include installing railings, utility cable and lights.

Also known as the Orange Avenue bridge, the 1,885-foot structure spans from Beachside to the mainland over the Halifax River. It replaces a 1954 drawbridge that was demolished in 2016.

The bridge was originally scheduled to be completed by December 2018.

"The amount of work it has taken to get us to this point has been incredible," said Tadd Kasbeer, Volusia County’s director of engineering and construction. "Building a bridge is a monumental undertaking, and it feels really good to be in the homestretch. This is going to be a genuine landmark for Volusia County."

When completed, it will be the only modern "open spandrel" concrete arch bridge in Florida and the first of its kind being erected with major precast elements such as the T-beams and arch segments, said Gary Davidson, a Volusia County spokesman.

The bridge will feature sidewalks, a fishing pier on both sides of the river and plaques at 28 scenic overlooks commemorating American military conflicts.

Johnson Bros. Corp., Orlando, is building the $46.2 million bridge, paid for with federal funds.

Earlier cost estimates were $38 million. Officials have said the unique design, weather and even a large fire at a nearby building have caused delays, while workers have been challenged by a lack of space along the riverbanks to assemble the bridge pieces before they were connected.

Note: This story has been corrected from an earlier version. Unlike what was reported originally, there are other open concrete arch bridges in Florida. The Daytona Beach bridge will be the first open spandrel concrete arch bridge.