T-L Photo/JOSIE BURKHART Cars travel in both lanes of U.S. 40 in Brookside after the intersection with Patterson Road was reopened Tuesday. A lengthy project to replace a culvert there is almost complete.

BROOKSIDE — All lanes of U.S. 40 and Patterson Road in Brookside reopened Tuesday, allowing traffic to flow freely after months of motorists waiting for completion of a project there.

The project was to replace the existing culvert beneath U.S. 40. The work replaced a culvert that conveys the water of Frazier Run under National Road with a precast concrete box structure.

The Ohio Department of Transportation started the project in August, and some lanes reopened Sept. 19. The original completion date was Oct. 31, but the work continued into November due to material delays.

ODOT District 11 Public Information Officer Lauren Borell said the project went well overall.

Today, there will be flaggers directing traffic to allow ODOT to finish minor work remaining to be done on the pavement.

“Traffic has been restored, however, some delays may occur for remaining work with flaggers during daytime hours,” Borell said. “This work is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving, if not before.”

Drivers and residents of Bridgeport can expect only minor impacts to the roadway, as the project aims to create proper drainage, Borell said.

Brookside Mayor Rich Kurner said ODOT has to repair the asphalt in a few remaining areas today. Kurner added that the delayed completion was partly due to problems with utilities in the area. He said the traffic tie-ups should be alleviated now that the project is almost completed.

The closure of the Blaine Hill Bridge farther west on National Road will still play a factor in traffic that makes its way through Brookside. Many drivers who would otherwise head west on U.S. 40 and travel up Blaine Hill instead have to filter through Brookside with the bridge being closed, Kurner said.

“I’m so glad it is done,” Kurner said of the project at Patterson Road. “It should alleviate some anger, if you know what I mean. … It’s been horrible, but I’m so glad it’s done. So now everybody’s alleviated quite a bit.”