EDITOR'S NOTE: Multimedia journalist Ryann Blackshere Vargas spoke with a commuter about how the freeway closure affected her commute to work. Click the arrow above to watch the video.

IRWINDALE, Calif. (CNS) — Following a five-day closure of the eastbound Foothill (210) Freeway in the Irwindale area — one that included three days of workday aggravations for commuters — normalcy began returning Tuesday as the stretch was fully reopened to traffic.

The eastbound freeway was closed at 10 p.m. Wednesday between the San Gabriel River (605) Freeway and Irwindale Avenue — but it reopened at 5 a.m. Tuesday.

The closures were done to accommodate upgrades to the San Gabriel River Bridge.

During the closure, all eastbound traffic was diverted onto the westbound freeway, which was reconfigured to allow three lanes of traffic in each direction.

A similar closure on the westbound side last month led to major traffic tie-ups in both directions, and there was more of the same during this most recent, eastbound shutdown.

Caltrans officials had urged motorists to find alternate routes or rely on public transit to avoid delays. Although the freeway closure ended Tuesday morning, Caltrans warned that some overnight lane closures are likely in the coming months for “bridge barrier” work.

The work is part of a $30 million project to upgrade the San Gabriel River Bridge by installing improved bridge hinges and railings and strengthening bridge decks. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.