CORPUS CHRISTI — The completion date for the new Harbor Bridge has been pushed back once again.
When work first began on the bridge, the completion date was set for April 2020. In February, the completion date was pushed back to sometime in 2021. Now, the new completion date is for the early part of 2023.
For north beach residents and business owners, the news has been frustrating. Many say they just want to see the bridge get finished, and construction for the project has caused a lot of traffic headaches.
"For the most part it's hard getting over the bridge sometimes, and it shouldn't be like that," said Carmita Gonzalez, and employee at Fajitaville.
Gonzalez, who has worked there for about a year, mentioned she's been late to work a number of times because of heavy back-up.
"You just roll the dice. If you leave your house, when you're supposed to, to make it here on time, (you'll) still be 30 minutes late because you're on that bridge," said Gonzalez.
However some people actually say business has picked up since the project began.
Nick Catalano, the owner of Yo's South Philly Cheesesteak, says since construction started ramping up, many of the work crews stop by his business to grab lunch.
"Between all the workers and all the business we get from construction, it has been an uptick with the construction workers for sure," said Catalano.
This afternoon, TXDOT released a statement about the delay stating: "for projects of this size and scope, delays are not uncommon due to the magnitude and complexity of the project."
The statement also says the weather, permitting requirements and unforseen circumstances led to the delay.
Work on the new harbor bridge has been going on since march 2017.
