Westport officials say a stretch of North Avenue is about to close again for the second year in a row.

First Selectman Jim Marpe says the Merritt Parkway Bridge on North Avenue between Cross Highway and Easton Road is being repaired and will no longer be open to alternating one-way traffic. He says the project will cause detours again but he says he wants this done safely.

Officials say this is the same project that was supposed to be finished in time for the start of school last fall.

The state Department of Transportation says the closure begins on Monday and the bridge is expected to reopen Aug. 25. The overall construction project is expected to be completed by Sept. 15.

The Connecticut DOT says the purpose of the project is to improve the structural deficiencies and preserve the integrity of the bridge.

Marpe says the town will closely monitor the bridge repair and will look for opportunities to open the bridge, if possible, during the construction process.