After 18 months of delays and traffic tie-ups, most lane restrictions were lifted yesterday on the Homestead Grays Bridge.

The one remaining restriction will be a moving barrier that will partially block the right southbound lane coming off Browns Hill Road so painting crews can store equipment, said Doug Aiken, construction manager with the Allegheny County Department of Public Works.

Restrictions on the bridge over the Monongahela River began in January 2006, two months after the $36 million rehabilitation project began. For most of that time, traffic has been stacked up.

The northbound lanes reopened about 2 p.m. yesterday, while the southbound lanes were reopened except for about 500 feet near the beginning of the bridge off Browns Hill Road, Mr. Aiken said. The partial lane restriction in the southbound lane should result in a much-reduced wait for motorists, he said.

"We're hoping we're only talking a couple minutes instead of about 45, which is the way it's been," Mr. Aiken said.

The bridge provides the main access to the Waterfront retail development, though alternate entrances are available through West Homestead and Munhall via the Rankin Bridge.

Construction should be completed by mid-October.

First Published: June 16, 2007, 4:00 a.m.