The Ann Arbor-Saline Road bridge is expected to be opened by the end of the day Wednesday as contractors move to stage three of the reconstruction project.

The bridge, which has been closed since early June, will open along with all lanes of Ann Arbor-Saline Road north of the highway overpass. All Ann Arbor-Saline Road freeway entrance and exit ramps will also be open to traffic.

The bridge reconstruction is part of a $2.1 million project spearheaded by the Washtenaw County Road Commission. The City of Ann Arbor, Pittsfield Township and the Michigan Department of Transportation have also contributed to the reconstruction.

The project has faced numerous delays that began when weather caused work to be pushed back more than three weeks due to a combination of cold temperatures and the state of Michigan's frost laws.

Since work has got underway, further delays have been experienced which could cost the contractor, Angelo Iafrate Construction Company, more than $100,000 in liquidated damages. The damages are part of the contract that the road commission makes with the contract to ensure on-time delivery of the project.

According to a release from the road commission, the last stage of the project is expected to be completed by October—as always depending on the weather.

The third stage will include closing the east side of Ann Arbor-Saline Road south of I-94 and the remaining portion of the entrance ramp to Eastbound I-94—which will remain open.

One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction during the phase, a change from the original plan, which called for all northbound traffic to be diverted.

Lohr Road will be closed at the Ann Arbor-Saline Road intersection and a detour using Oak Valley Drive is recommended and will have posted signs. Traffic could still be congested due to the lane restrictions, so motorists are asked to continue to drive carefully and keep road workers, other vehicles and pedestrian safety in mind.

The openings come as Ann Arbor prepares to host the first University of Michigan home football game of the year on Saturday. The game will bring tens of thousands of people into Ann Arbor, many of whom will likely utilize the now-opened exit.

Ben Freed is a general assignments reporter for The Ann Arbor News. Email him at benfreed@mlive.com and follow him on twitter at @BFreedinA2. He also answers the phone at 734-623-2528.