MIAMI -- A Miami bridge that had been closed down for eight months will reopen Friday at midnight.

The 17th Avenue Bridge, which takes commuters over the Miami River near the Courthouse, was closed in August for a major overhaul.

It is a major north-south thoroughfare and connects the communities within the City of Miami's Health District Development that includes Jackson Memorial-University of Miami Hospital and the Veterans Administration Hospital.

The bridge's facelift included repairs to deteriorated steel beams and connections and replacing the steel floor, sidewalks and handrails for greater safety. The bridge was also upgraded to current modern design standards.

There is still work to do, but it will only be performed during off-peak hours, officials said.