The damaged US 50 middle bridge over Blue Mesa Reservoir opened to all traffic on Wednesday after a nearly 7-month closure to repair fatigue cracks in the steel beams under the roadbed.

The cracks were discovered during a special inspection on April 18.

Flagging and pilot operations have ended and both lanes are open for traffic.

The US 50 Lake Fork Bridge, about five miles west, just west of Sapinero, is still under construction and is restricted to alternating one-way traffic with flagging and pilot cars and delays should be expected. Work there is expected to finish in December.

“We appreciate the community’s patience and support throughout these past several months,” said Shoshana Lew, executive director of the state’s transportation agency. “We know this bridge closure posed a very challenging situation for many people throughout southwest Colorado, and your resilience and understanding were crucial in helping us get to this point and we are pleased to have it open for business before winter shutdown.”

The middle bridge required 250 tons of steel and more than 25,000 bolts to make repairs involving placing two-inch-thick steel plates to reinforce the girders.

Crews are still removing the temporary platform from beneath the Lake Fork Bridge and priming the steel for the final coat of paint that will be put on each bridge next spring when temperatures are warmer.