Updated: Friday, 10 Jul 2009, 10:48 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 10 Jul 2009, 6:04 AM EDT
Two Bronx-bound lanes at the Throgs Neck Bridge were reopened to cars only at 6:20 p.m. Friday, following this morning's fire that occurred at a construction site beneath the roadway of the bridge, the MTA said. Queens-bound lanes were reopened to all traffic at 1 p.m.
One Bronx-bound lane remains closed and the Bronx-bound Cross Island Parkway ramp has been closed for safety reasons to avoid a hazardous merge around the closed lane, officials said.
Trucks are not allowed on the Bronx-bound lanes at this time and are still being diverted to the RFK/Triboro Bridge.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels engineers, operations personnel and health and safety inspectors have been working throughout the day to get the bridge back in operation for the 112,000 motorists who use the span every day.
The fire began shortly after 5 a.m. Friday in scaffolding under the northbound side of the bridge, where there is an ongoing deck replacement project.
More than 130 firefighters, including a marine unit, put out the flames. Officials said knocking down the fire was challenging because of the unusual location.
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