NEBRASKA CITY - Nebraska City residents breathed a sigh of relief Friday morning when city officials reported that newly discovered deterioration on the city’s most heavily-crossed bridge will not prolong its closure.

The 11th Street viaduct is closed during a $2 million construction project to add a turn lane in seven city-blocks of the commercial district, but contractors reported that wear to the bridge is much severe than anticipated.

At a special city council meeting, the city approved a $249,000 change order to stabilize concrete girders at the bridge’s highest point. The new work will take four weeks, but city officials say the project is still on schedule for completion this fall.

Construction and Facilities Manager Marty Stovall said the change order will be paid for by street department reserves.