The New Hope-Lambertville Bridge, which connects Pennsylvania and New Jersey across the Delaware River, will remain partially closed until 2025 as construction to expand the bridge will take “several more months” longer than anticipated, writes Larua Fay for CBS News Philadelphia.

According to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the construction will be extended due to an unexpected structural issue.

A comprehensive rehabilitation project began at the start of the year, closing the bridge to New Jersey-bound traffic. The closure has also restricted pedestrian crossings to a temporary walkway.

Officials had expected to reopen the 120-year-old bridge this fall. However, crews found that a steel pin supporting a critical joint had rusted and deteriorated so much that it made the bridge unsafe for heavy loads.

While the new pedestrian walkway will open “sometime in December,” officials said the bridge will likely remain closed to New Jersey-bound traffic until “early 2025.” In addition, a full two-week closure will also be needed to repair the bridge fully.

“We understand the importance this bridge has to New Hope and Lambertville, and we are committed to resolving this issue as quickly and safely as possible,” the commission’s executive director Joe Resta said in the announcement. “The public’s safety and the bridge’s structural integrity are top priorities.”

Read more about plans to repair the New Hope-Lambertville Bridge in CBS News Philadelphia.

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