An eastbound lane on the Baltimore National Pike bridge spanning the Patapsco River will close starting Wednesday evening, according to a Dec. 8 email from the Maryland State Highway Administration.

The move comes as part of a $32 million project to rehabilitate the bridge, which connects Howard and Baltimore counties.

The lane's closure will allow crews to pave a transition from the existing eastbound roadway to a temporary bridge, according to a release from the SHA.

Westbound traffic will shift to a second temporary bridge, said Charlie Gischlar, a spokesman for the SHA.

The shift to the temporary bridge was originally planned to take place Dec. 9, but the SHA postponed the project due to steady rain and temperatures that dipped into the 30s on Dec. 7.

Pedestrians and cyclists will not be allowed to use the temporary bridge because the lanes will be narrower, the release stated.

The pattern, the release stated, will be in effect through fall 2012, weather permitting.