The Virginia Department of Transportation has reopened Virginia 611/Newbern Road in Pulaski County.

The road was closed near Virginia 643/Cougar Trail Road on Tuesday after a garbage truck traveling on Virginia 611 hit and damaged the underside of a bridge that carries Interstate 81. Crews put a cover under the damaged beams, reducing the bridge's height to 13 feet 5 inches, VDOT spokeswoman Heidi Coy said.

The left southbound lane of I-81 on the bridge will remain closed at mile marker 97, but crews have paved the right shoulder to accommodate a second lane of traffic while the bridge is repaired. The repairs could take several weeks to complete, Coy has said.

The right lane of I-81 was closed Wednesday while crews paved, causing congestion near the bridge. At one point, traffic was backed up about five miles, VDOT said.

-- Amanda Codispoti