Although half of the construction work on Ledyard Bridge will be completed within the month, the traffic bottlenecks on West Wheelock Street aren't likely to improve until next year.
The Ledyard Bridge -- which has faced delays and budgeting problems since the start of its construction in 1995 -- should be ready for traffic by the end of October 1998, said Department of Transportation spokesman Bill Boynton.
Boynton said there have been minimal delays since the summer, and construction is expected to proceed on schedule.
Workers are beginning paving and erecting safety barriers. Once the roadwork is complete, the old bridge will be closed, and traffic will be allowed onto the new bridge, Boynton said.
"Traffic will start going over the new Ledyard Bridge within the month," said Hadley Moores, vice-president of Moores Marine Construction Corporation, the company building the bridge.
During the winter, a temporary layer of asphalt will be laid to allow traffic to pass over until next spring, said Assistant Director of Hanover Public Works Keith Southward.
The resurfacing of West Wheelock Street -- the section leading from Main Street to the Connecticut River -- will start up again in the spring, said.
