PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- The completion date for the new bridge over the Missouri River connecting Pierre and Fort Pierre has been pushed back to December 2023.

South Dakota Department of Transportation Pierre area engineer Dean VanDeWiele told the Fort Pierre City Council Tuesday night the contractor (Jensen Construction Company) has had difficulty drilling the 9’- 6” diameter shafts.

While the drilling situation gets figured out, VanDeWiele says the contractor is getting work done on other parts of the bridge replacement project.

VanDeWiele says folks can follow the bridge’s progress on SDDOT’s social media or on the Pierre-Fort Pierre bridge website.

The bridge had been scheduled for completion at the end of this year.