After falling a couple weeks behind schedule, workers are closing the time gap on the project to replace the Main Street Bridge in Niles.

“We are slowly making up time,” said Chris Jacobs, engineer for the Michigan Department of Transportation. “If [we have] continued good weather we should be getting closer to the original open to traffic date.”

Work to replace the 90-year-old bridge, which spans the St. Joseph River in downtown Niles, began in October of last year.

Engineers originally estimated that the bridge would re-open to traffic in November of 2015. Complications forced that date back a couple weeks, but Johnson said in all likelihood there is a good chance they will get back on track.

Last week, workers finished building the wall for “abutment B,” which is the main substructure supporting the bridge at either ends of the crossing.

Johnson also said workers poured the column for “pier 2,” or the substructure in the water supporting the bridge last week.

Workers are expected this week to pour caps for two of the bridge’s piers (1 and 2) and install rip rap (large stones that prevent scouring at the pier footings) for pier 2.

The MDOT-led project is expected to cost the state approximately $10.6 million.