After about three weeks of detours, Big Beef Creek bridge on Seabeck Highway was reopened Wednesday evening, two days ahead of schedule.

The bridge was closed Jan. 28 after an inspection revealed damage caused by erosion.

Repairs to the bridge was originally scheduled to take two weeks and open Feb. 12. However, the Aberdeen-based contractors, Quigg Brothers Inc., were stymied by high tides.

But it was fair weather that allowed the early opening, said Doug Bear, spokesman for Kitsap County Department of Public Works.

The closure tacked on considerable driving time, forcing not only residents of the rural community to spend extra time in their cars, but firefighters as well.

During the closure, Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue stationed one full-time firefighter and emergency response vehicles on the other side of the bridge to respond to calls.

The cached vehicles were used on at least one emergency call, said Theresa MacLennan, spokeswoman for Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue.