On Wednesday, a second lane on the southbound span will be shut down, officials say.
Motorists using the Delaware Memorial Bridge this week should expect delays as an additional lane of the southbound span is shut down for construction.
Suspender ropes are seen on the Delaware Memorial Bridge Sunday, Aug. 28, 2016. The ropes on the southbound span are being repaired and the work will require two lanes of the span to be closed on Wednesday, authorities say. (Bill Gallo Jr. | For NJ.com) Two of the four lanes on the bridge will be closed Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for continued work on replacing the bridge's suspender ropes, according to Jim Salmon, spokesman for the Delaware River and Bay Authority, the bridge's operator.
The suspender ropes are attached to the large suspension cables and support the roadway below.
Salmon said motorists should expect delays during the time both lanes are closed Wednesday.
All lanes of both spans of the bridge will be open for the Labor Day holiday weekend, Salmon said.
Replacement of the suspender ropes has been ongoing since spring, keeping the left lane closed during much of the work.
Commuters face construction from N.Y. to D.C.
Salmon said the safety of the traveling public and on-site maintenance workers is the DRBA's highest priority and motorists should be careful and stay alert in and around construction zones, and obey all posted speed limit signs.
Motorists seeking traffic updates can follow the bridge on Twitter @demembridge
Back in April, three lanes of the southbound bridge were shut down for emergency repairs needed on some of the suspender ropes. All of the traffic headed to Delaware was funneled into one lane, causing massive traffic backups in New Jersey.
Once southbound motorists clear the bridge, they still have to contend with construction work on Interstate 295.
Bill Gallo Jr. may be reached at bgallo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Bill Gallo Jr. on Twitter @bgallojr. Find NJ.com on Facebook.