SAN YSIDRO -- U.S. authorities have reopened ahead of schedule two of the lanes at the port of entry that had been closed Monday night to accommodate construction.

Traffic was flowing nearly normally for the Wednesday morning commute in the regular lanes as well as the fast-pass SENTRI ones.

That was a welcome relief for SENTRI users, who had to wait up to 90 minutes during Tuesday's morning commute.

At one point, SENTRI traffic stretched five miles, reaching to the sports complex known as Unidad Deportiva CREA.

As had been advertised, U.S. authorities closed the right-hand lanes of the San Ysidro border crossing Monday night to accommodate construction work.

That had the effect of delaying the five SENTRI lanes during the peak morning commute hours later. These are special lanes used by people who have been cleared as trusted travelers.

On a normal morning, it takes about 15 minutes to cross using these lanes.

Once traffic cleared the inspection booths it was being routed to only one or two lanes to exit the port of entry, which also apparently contributed to the lengthy wait for SENTRI users.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in a press release, said the temporary closure of the right-hand lanes would end on Wednesday night.

But two of the lanes had been reopened by Wednesday morning ahead of schedule.

During the temporary closure, border crossers are being urged to access the port of entry through the left side, from Calle Segunda (Second Street) downtown or from Avenida Paseo de los Héroes (Río zone).

Those who have U.S. travel documents enabled with RFID technology may use the Ready Lane at the extreme left side of the Otay Mesa border crossing for speedier crossing. These documents include border crossing cards issued after 2008, the newer legal residency card (the so-called "green card" and newer U.S. passport card.

The San Ysidro border crossing is undergoing a major expansion and remodeling project that will increase the number of lanes from 24 to 62, among other changes.

In mid-September scaffolding collapsed the port of entry, injuring several people, crushing several vehicles and forcing a shutdown in operations for 12 hours.

Alexandra.mendoza@sandiegored.com