All lanes of Interstate 90 over Blue Creek Bay will reopen in November for the upcoming winter season.

The speed limit will revert to 65 mph, but drivers should expect a rougher traveling surface until repairs to both bridges are complete.

Underwater work will continue until the lake drops to freezing temperatures. Crews will return in the spring to complete repairs. Idaho Transportation Department officials anticipate the project will wrap up next summer.

“When work concludes for this season, we’ll be around 90 percent done,” ITD engineer Ryan Hawkins said,

Since work began in spring 2018, crews have focused on the supporting structures underneath and on replacing the upper portion of the concrete decks with new concrete. Construction challenges have hindered progress on the bridges, requiring a third season of work that was not originally planned.

“Although we are close to being done, it’s more important to do it right and wait for better weather conditions,” Hawkins said. “It’s a good investment — after we’re done, the bridges will last another 50 years.”

Next year, permanent joints to allow portions of the bridge to safely expand and contract with the weather will be completed, and the final driving surface will be put down.

Record Steel & Construction is the primary contractor on the $10.9 million project.