A temporary bridge on Route 15 in Jefferson Township opened a week earlier than expected.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced the opening of the southbound bridge over the Rockaway River.

Since June 6, the 124-year-old bridge previously in place, was closed to traffic when its integrity came into question.

Detours were not pleasant, often including backroads and excluded local businesses.

But now, with traffic flowing once again, Adams Bagels and the Jefferson Dairy, which lost as much as 60% in revenue, can operate fully once again and hope to regain what they lost.

The new, permanent bridge is an $11.6 million project that will not be completed until the Fall of 2025.