NATCHEZ — After approximately two-and-a-half months of closure, the westbound span of the U.S. 84 bridge over the Mississippi River is slated to re-open Monday.

Closed in late July for what the Mississippi Department of Transportation characterized as “rare, but critical” pin and link replacement work, traffic on the westbound span has been rerouted to run head-to-head with traffic on the eastbound span with a concrete divider between lanes.

An MDOT spokesman said Friday the eastbound span — which runs from Vidalia to Natchez — would maintain one-lane traffic for approximately one week while the contractor performs additional work.

The eastbound span will reopen to loads wider than 14 feet once the concrete barriers and lane closures are removed.

“We’re looking forward to getting the westbound bridge opened next week and completing this critical work,” Transportation Commissioner Tom King said. “These bridges are not only the lifeline to Natchez from connecting areas, but also serve as the infrastructure backbone of these great communities along the Mississippi River.”