Southbound lanes on the New York State Thruway reopened to traffic Saturday afternoon following repairs on an overpass that took part for most of the day.

The closure affected the New York State Thruway southbound starting at Exit 12 all the way to Exit 9 in Tarrytown.

The closure was to facilitate emergency repairs on the South Broadway overpass, which was damaged by a tractor-trailer collision last Thursday.

State police say the bridge's clearance height is 14-feet. The truck was 17 and 1/2 feet tall.

The shutdown was the longest the bridge has seen since it was originally built. Travelers and businesses expressed concern about how they were going to be affected but were understanding because it was to ensure motorists' safety.

While southbound lanes were closed, officials said the northbound lanes were still open for drivers.

Southbound Thruway reopens from Exit 12-9, including Mario Cuomo Bridge, after overpass repairs