It was windy and damp last Friday, but that didn’t stop state, local and national officials from gathering to celebrate a ribbon cutting for the newly reconstructed Black River Bridge and the opening of the Interstate 94/I-69 reconstruction project.  The $90 million construction project began in March 2011 and included the widening from two lanes to three of 2.2 miles of eastbound and westbound I-94/I-69 between Lapeer Road and Pine Grove Avenue. Also included in the project was the replacement of the Black River Bridge  Ron Morosi, spokesman for the Michigan Department of Transportation said intermittent lane closures due to barrier work and signs will continue until around Thanksgiving.  Speakers for the day included Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp, U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, State Sen. Phil Pavlov, State Rep. Paul Muxlow, Blue Water Bridge Canada president and chief executive officer Chuck Chrapko,  and MDOT chief operations officer Greg Johnson.  This is Phase One of a Three-Phase Project, and in 2014, MDOT will begin construction on bridges and the freeway on the I-69 and I-69 business loop from Range Road to 32nd Street, as well as construction on I-94 from Griswold to Lapeer roads.  Project also includes the Blue Water Bridge Plaza.