Westbound lanes on Blue Water Bridge to reopen ahead of schedule

Construction on the Blue Water Bridge is expected to be completed earlier than originally anticipated.

Michigan Department of Transportation and Federal Bridge Corporation, the state-owned Canadian company which operates the Canadian side of the bridge, said construction was ahead of schedule and it will soon begin to reopen traffic lanes on Oct. 3, allowing the use of the bridge's westbound lanes.

The U.S.-bound span of the bridge has been closed since July 5 for the construction, with part of the Canada-bound span being used to accommodate traffic going both ways. The U.S.-bound lanes were expected to remain close until Oct. 5, but will now open two days early.

"The reduced capacity resulted in longer wait times for bridge users, and both FBCL and MDOT bridge staff maintain their gratitude for all customers' patience during this necessary project," the Michigan Department of Transportation wrote in a news release.

Construction will still continue on the bridge until Oct. 8. From Oct. 3 to Oct. 7 some lanes will be closed while crews are inspecting and installing conduits. By Oct. 9 the bridge will no longer have width restrictions. Wide loads have been limited to a maximum of 11 feet since construction began.

During the closure workers sealed breaks in the pavement, repairs to the bridge's curb and gutter, and cleaning the bridge.

Contact Johnathan Hogan at jhogan@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Westbound lanes on Blue Water Bridge to reopen ahead of schedule