This prediction was borne out by events, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation opened the bridge to traffic at 5:00 in the morning on September 18, 2008. Minnesota State Patrol cars at both the north and south ends allowed rush hour traffic to build up behind them. Once the construction barricades were removed at 5:00 am first responders, state troopers, and Mn/DOT trucks slowly crossed the bridge with rush hour traffic in tow, officially opening the bridge. The team constructed the $234 million bridge three months ahead of schedule and on budget, with no lost time due to safety accidents. Flatiron-Manson was expected to earn $27 million in bonuses for accelerated performance.