NEW HAVEN — The rebuild of the Route 17 bridge over Otter Creek in New Haven will be complete before Addison County Fair and Field Days opens on Aug. 7, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation’s project manager.
VTrans Project Manager Carolyn Carlson said the rebuilt bridge will be open to vehicles by Aug. 3, allowing normal traffic flow to resume before the county’s nearby popular annual fair.
Construction began on Route 17’s Bridge 8, which passes over Otter Creek between Weybridge and New Haven, in early June. 
Due to age and weather, the bridge, originally built in 1934, had a deteriorated deck, corroded steel, deficient railings and a sagging roadway, according to VTrans.
Carlson said she was confident work would be finished within the timeline.
“I don’t foresee any issues with this project,” she said.
Last week the bridge’s decking received a new concrete layer. Before opening to vehicles in three weeks, the construction crew will complete additional roadwork, approach slabs, and guardrails.
Carlson also noted that construction will be completed within the $4 million budget.
“We haven’t had any problems thus far,” she said.
The new bridge will be slightly longer and include wider travel lanes and shoulders. Alongside the new bridge will be a fishing access area with parking and a boat launch. 
The fishing area and additional landscaping will be finished by early October.