More than two months after the span was damaged by a careless driver, the Ben Williamson Memorial Bridge that carries traffic from Ohio into Kentucky has been repaired and is flowing with vehicles.

It wasn’t always easy for Tri-State motorists as traffic patterns both directions were significantly affected and delays impacted motorists nearly every day. Now that things are starting to get back to normal residents likely to have a new-found appreciation for how important our bridges and transportation infrastructure are to the entire community.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet should be commended for putting safety first and creating a plan to expedite repairs with as little inconvenience as possible.

It wasn’t perfect but it may have saved lives.

This closure also shows how important the new Ironton-Russell Bridge will be to the community once it is completed. It also illustrates the need for the Tri-State Metro Outerbelt, often called the Chesapeake Bypass, that would strengthen the entire region’s highway system.

Our bridges bring us together, and although we must find ways for each state to showcase its unique offerings, we shouldn’t forget how important these connections are to our communities.