When the plan to replace the State Street Bridge over Mill River in New Haven was announced, DOT expected to have it reopened no later than 2010, but that's when it ended up closing.
Then it was supposed to open back up in 2011, but now the hope is for mid-summer of next year.
The problem is crews keep hitting major delay after major delay, including a 42" water main having to be relocated to construction actually causing I-91 itself to move.
"So any settling, any movement of the highway is of course a reason for everything to stop," said New Haven Alderwoman Jessica Holmes.
Owner of Chestnut Fine Food, Fred Walker, has been at his State Street location for nearly ten years, and since the bridge closed he's lost about 25% of his walk-in customers.
"[Customers] who do not want to come down through some of the detours they have there. They're a little confusing. It's a little hard to get around," said Walker.
It's the same story at many businesses relying on access through the bridge to keep customers streaming in, and the project that doesn't seem to want to end is causing other headaches as well.
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"There's increased vandalism, increased campers, increased drug use close to the rivers," said Holmes.
Holmes says she does believe DOT is doing everything it can to hurry the process along. She plans to host a community meeting in September or October and have DOT come and give an update.
