Transportation officials announced Wednesday that construction on the Hollow Tree Ridge Bridge in Darien has been halted while workers wait for the installation of utility lines.

First Selectwoman Evonne Klein (D-Darien) says the state Department of Transportation had told town officials the bridge work was stopped when the contractor recently walked off the job. The lack of construction has frustrated local residents, who say the detour around Noroton Heights has caused traffic delays.

Whatever the reason, Klein says town officials are working with the DOT to get crews to finish the construction. The original completion date of this summer has been pushed to at least late fall.