Historic Kancamagus Highway To Reopen After Tropical Storm Irene

CONCORD, N.H. (CBS) – New Hampshire's historic Kancamagus Highway will reopen Sunday, nearly two weeks after significant damage was caused by Tropical Storm Irene.

Governor John Lynch made the announcement Friday, after inspecting the repair progress. Sunday's opening is days ahead of the September 15 deadline originally set after the storm.

On Friday, September 16, Lynch will lead a bus tour across the Kancamagus to kick off fall foliage tourist season.

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"We made it a priority to open the Kancamagus and we got done faster than anyone had anticipated. This is was a complete team effort," said Lynch.

Crews are nearly finished with work on the Loon Mountain Pedestrian Bridge, which will also open on Sunday.

Officials hope to have Route 302 in Hart's Location open before the end of September.