JONATHAN CREEK, N.C. (828newsNOW) —

Travelers will find driving Interstate 40 through the Pigeon River Gorge a little easier.

Crews have completed major operations at two spots on I-40 in the Pigeon River Gorge, allowing all four lanes to open Tuesday for the summer travel season, the N.C. Department of Transportation said in a news release.

One lane has been closed in both directions from mile markers 18 through 20. The closures allowed crews to finish building three structures to replace the “High Bridge” over Jonathan Creek and White Oak Road (one bridge in each direction) and the “Low Bridge” over White Oak Road in Haywood County, the news release said.

Even though major operations are complete and all lanes are open, there will still be occasional nighttime lane closures through the summer to complete paving and median wall construction, the news release said.

The replacements are part of a five-bridge project, the first of its kind in the state administered with the intent of forming a partnership between NCDOT, the contractor and the design team. This method is designed to expedite delivery from the first step in the design phase to the last inspection. Kiewit Construction earned the contract for $84.3 million.

Next on the list is replacing one bridge over Fines Creek Road at Exit 15 and another bridge over the Pigeon River near mile marker 16. Lane closures will return this fall to expedite construction of those bridges.

Transportation officials remind drivers to plan ahead, drive alert, and obey all posted signs in the Pigeon River Gorge.

For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.