For the first time since early March, Bethel Park residents are seeing less traffic using residential streets as makeshift detours.

That is because at 11 a.m. yesterday, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reopened the stretch of Baptist Road between Millennium Park Drive and the Lowes entrance that had been closed to build a new bridge across a small valley and railroad tracks.

"This is a major artery and traffic has been detoured through residential streets for more than five months," said Mary Hirsh, a South Hills resident. "The noise and pollution from 10,000 vehicles a day is driving everyone crazy."

Although the bridge appeared to be finished for more than a week, the contractor was required to complete several minor work items.

The bridge replacement project also included some improvements to Baptist Road between Hamilton and Horning roads.

Neighbors had expressed safety concerns because so many drivers used neighborhood streets rather than the posted -- albeit circuitous -- detour that sent drivers via Route 51, Route 88 and Broughton Road.

As a result, the municipality installed additional stop signs on Marilynn Drive at intersections with Janet and Linda drives. Bethel Park police also stepped up traffic enforcement in the area.