The long-awaited pedestrian bridge across the Lehigh River in Jim Thorpe will not be open this year as initially expected.

On Thursday, the commissioners ratified a time extension with Latona Trucking of Pittston for an additional 37 days to complete work necessary on the bridge, which will connect another portion of the Delaware and Lehigh Nature Trail.

County administrator Eloise Ahner said that delays totaling 46 days were the cause for the extension.

Ahner said issues with the cribbing of Lock 1 that caused the crew to have to remove what was dug out and replace it with stone; as well as access delays were the causes.

Commissioner William O’Gurek said these delays and the construction season are now weather dependent.

“The project may not be done this year and it may have to go to the spring before the bridge gets set, put in place and open,” he said.

Ahner agreed, noting that crews can’t complete the macadam and staining that is required due to the time of year.

Tentatively, the trusses for the bridge will start getting set on the abutments on Dec. 4.

But to make matters worse, Ahner said possible stream restrictions in March make it imperative that the crew finishes all work around abutment one to remove a causeway that is in the Lehigh River before March.

Latona Trucking is completing the construction of the 250-foot steel truss bridge that will span the Lehigh River near Turkey Hill.

Latona was approved by the commissioners as the company to complete the project in December, after reviewing their bid of $2,729,483.20. The whole project is expected to cost more than $3.2 million.