SABULA, Iowa (AP) — Work on a new bridge connecting Iowa and Illinois has been delayed by high water in the Mississippi River. The February closure of the bridge at Sabula for safety concerns stopped access to the U.S. 52/Illinois 64 bridge over the river to Savanna, Illinois. Drivers have since been making a 36-mile detour or taking a free ferry.

The $8.5 million replacement bridge was expected to be opened by Labor Day, but now the opening is projected for several weeks later. On Wednesday Iowa Transportation Department engineer Jim Schnoebelen blamed the delay on the slower-than-anticipated rate at which the river water is dropping. Snowmelt and heavy rains had swollen the river above flood stage at several spots earlier this year.