HINSDALE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) – The new bridge connecting New Hampshire and Vermont is opening to vehicle traffic a day early.

The General John Stark Memorial Bridge in Hinsdale, NH and Brattleboro, VT was originally scheduled to open by the end of the day on Thursday December 5th. In an update Wednesday afternoon, the Vermont Agency of Transportation said that due to the inclement weather in the forecast for Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the bridge is scheduled to open around 2 p.m. today, Wednesday December 4th.

Ahead of the opening, crews are working to eradicate the permanent pavement markings that need to be removed and re-striping on the New Hampshire side of the bridge.

The new traffic pattern will be active in Brattleboro today.

Eastbound travelers on VT/NH 119 will need to turn onto Vermont Route 142 (Vernon Street) and access the new bridge at the new signalized intersection.

Westbound traffic on VT/NH 119 will need to turn onto VT 142 North to proceed to U.S. Route 5 (Canal Street).

Drivers should watch for message boards indicating the new traffic pattern is active and be aware that there will be barricades set up on Bridge Street to encourage local traffic only.

The bridge has been in the works for nearly 30 years and replaces the two truss bridges that have connected the two towns for the past 100 years. Those bridges will be decommissioned and rehabilitated for pedestrian access. It will remain closed to pedestrian traffic until the Spring.

Work zones are still active along VT-142, VT/NH 119, and on adjacent properties and roads to the new bridge.

Governor Sununu visited the new bridge for an opening celebration on Tuesday and called the new bridge “an absolute homerun, not just for New Hampshire, but all of New England.”