A bridge on Shelby County 22 that crosses Spring Creek opened to traffic yesterday, according to county officials.

The bridge has been sitting finished since late February waiting on subcontractors to build approaches.

County assistant engineer Tom Grimes said a soggy spring delayed the project.

&8220;We can&8217;t build or work on approaches in the rain,&8221; said Grimes.

By the time it was dry enough to start construction, the Alabama Department of Transportation had to reapprove one of the subcontractors.

&8220;There has been a delay, but they are still within their contract limits,&8221; said Grimes.

The contract gives The Morris Group until June 29 to finish the $880,000 state-funded project.

The bridge near Shelby Academy has been closed since July 2005, forcing drivers from Interstate 65 bound toward Montevallo to take a 3 1/2 mile detour, using Shelby County 16 and Shelby County 12.

The old 55-foot bride was lengthened to 160 feet to service the almost 6,000 cars that cross Spring Creek daily