A big truck that struck the West Dallas bridge spanning Interstate 45 earlier this month did far more serious damage than initially anticipated, which could be a long-term problem for some downtown commuters.

Texas Department of Transportation officials plan to reopen one lane in each direction of the bridge downtown sometime this week, agency spokesman Danny Perez said, once signs and other detour information can be installed. The bridge has been closed to traffic since it was struck.

Heavy trucks will be barred from the using the bridge, which was hit by a large truck traveling on the freeway on Sept. 2. After a series of inspections, it was determined the strike was significant enough to compromise the bridge’s integrity, though engineers have deemed it safe for passenger vehicles.

Eventually, Perez said officials will replace the bridge, which will lead to significant detours.

“It is not going to be just a few weeks here and there,” he said. “We’re talking months.”

A similar series of strikes from passing large trucks led officials to shut down Meadow Street where it spans I-10, and eventually replace that bridge.