RANDALL CHASE
Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Delaware’s transportation chief says officials are hoping to reopen the southbound lanes of an important interstate bridge by Labor Day.

Officials closed the Interstate 495 bridge over the Christina River June 2 because supporting columns are tilting. The bridge typically carries about 90,000 vehicles a day.

Transportation Secretary Shailen Bhatt (SHAY-lin baht) said Tuesday that officials hope the northbound lanes can reopen a few weeks later.

Bhatt says equipment, materials and expertise are on the way to Delaware. Plans include drilling new foundations to bedrock.

Casings for concrete shafts on their way from Oklahoma and Washington state.

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