EAST PROVIDENCE — The second span in city to be overhauled using the Rhode Island Department of Transportation's "rapid replacement" method, the McCormick Quarry Bridge, was done so expediently over the weekend.

The bridge, which connects motorists from Interstate 195 with Wampanoag Trail, was finished well ahead of the expected 80-hour time frame.

The structure, facetiously referred to by Vice President Joseph Biden as the "Lincoln Log" bridge during a recent visit to the state, was demolished Friday evening/Saturday morning, Sept. 23 and 24. Crews then quickly cleared the debris before eventually lowering in the replacement span, built over the last year on site just off the nearby I-195 exit onto Warren Avenue.

By mid-afternoon, Monday, Sept. 26, the new bridge was installed, the surface paved and open to traffic for the evening rush. Governor Gina Raimondo and RIDOT Director Peter Alviti gave local elected officials and media a tour of the bridge just as it became available for vehicles. The span was not scheduled to be open for use until the morning drive of Tuesday, Sept. 27.

East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer took the accompanying gallery of pictures and video from Monday.