Some 350 feet of highway must be replaced in each direction. The first step, demolishing of the old sections, has been completed.

Contractor C.W. Matthews began clearing the debris a week ago and has pledged to work round the clock to complete the new bridge. Crews even did some work Wednesday, when storms rolled across the Atlanta region.

“It was not a lost day,” Mastronardi said.

On Friday they began pouring concrete to shore up 13 columns from the existing bridge. By mid-month some of the 61 beams needed to support the highway will begin to arrive.

GDOT officials say I-85 will reopen by June 15.

“This is very fast,” Mastronardi said. “We’re feeling very comfortable about that June 15 date.”