It will likely be another week or two before things could get back to normal for those who use the Robert Campbell Bridge in and out of Riverdale every day, city officials said Wednesday.

"It was planned that our contractor would have finished the work prior to school starting, but we've, unfortunately, experienced delays due to rain over the past few weeks," Wayne Tuck, the city's engineering manager, said in a statement.

"We will be able to create a smoother ramp for motorists within a week and are confident traffic will return to normal shortly."

Further to that, he added in an interview, there were also delays in getting needed parts shipped from Outside to the territory and with work on the Takhini River Bridge being done by the same contractor, Concrete USL Ltd. of Alberta, taking longer than expected.

With those factors in play, the Robert Campbell Bridge work fell behind schedule.

The resurfacing of the road and replacement of expansion joints began in July after council voted in May to award the $401,525 contract to Concrete USL.

While the bids all came in over the original estimate of $377,750, the only other bid to come in from Andco Enterprises at $463,850 was rejected because the company didn't have the required Certificate of Recognition to bid on it.

The work has caused delays during busier times of the day when most Whitehorse residents are going to and from work and, for city staff, that's meant some complaints or other cases of drivers jumping into line.

As Tuck noted, though: "It's short-term pain."

He suggested those driving in and out of Riverdale during the morning and afternoon rush consider leaving for their places of employment a few minutes early and leave work a few minutes late to avoid the congestion.

Said city manager Dennis Shewfelt: "This work is needed to ensure this bridge continues to provide safe access into Riverdale for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

"We anticipate work, weather permitting, will be completed in approximately two weeks."

He went on to note the city's appreciation of motorists' patience as the work continues.

With the rain holding off over the past few days (Thursday excepted), Tuck said, crews have been able to make up for some of the time they lost when it was wetter.

In an effort to ensure the integrity of the bridge repairs is maintained, speed bumps have been put in place over work areas.

It's important that vehicles on the bridge slow down near them due to safety issues that could arise if the concrete is shaken. At times, traffic has been backed up because of drivers slowing down for the bumps.

The city timed the work to begin after the last school year ended in June.