The new 102nd Avenue bridge over Groat Road is expected to open in early August instead of late September as previously anticipated, the city announced Thursday.

The new opening date would put the project 11 months behind schedule.

The bridge replacement project suffered a major setback in March 2015 when three girders buckled because a subcontractor misinterpreted the bracing requirements in the engineering plans.

Transportation manager Adam Laughlin apologized to the businesses near the bridge that have suffered financial losses as a result of the extended road closure.

The 124th Street Business Association held a number of events over the last year to encourage shoppers to return to the area.

Jeannice Logan, manager of Carol's Quality Sweets, said the lack of drive-by traffic has taken a toll on business.

She said opening the bridge only 11 months behind schedule instead of a full year isn't significant, but every little bit of traffic will help.

"The sooner we can get that road open and get people travelling on it, the sooner everything will hopefully get back to normal," Logan said.

This photograph from March 2015 shows the three twisted girders that caused all the problems. (Supplied)

Laughlin said the city and the contractor on the project have worked as hard as possible to make that happen.

"Our priority has always been to open up the bridge as soon as it was safe to do so," Laughlin said in a news release.

"An early start to this year's construction season has allowed us to announce an improved opening date. We're all looking forward to reopening this important corridor."

Laughlin said the city is "very confident" of the new deadline, and said the bridge could open even earlier if weather permits.

"I think we're comfortable that in early August you're going to see cars and pedestrians crossing on 102nd Avenue," he said.

He said the bridge will be "100-per-cent safe."

More traffic impacts to come

Once open, the new bridge will have two traffic lanes in each direction, with pedestrian access on one side while finishing work continues through the summer and fall.

The finishing work will include completing sidewalks, installing railings and replacing the concrete median on Groat Road.

Single-lane closures of the bridge will be required during off-peak hours, the city said. Groat Road will also see closures.

Transit service will be restored along 102nd Avenue, the city said.

Laughlin apologized to the businesses near the bridge that have suffered financial losses as a result of the extended road closure.

The project contract called for a completion date of Sept. 30, 2015. For every day beyond that, the contractor has been required to pay the city $11,500 in penalties until the bridge is finished.

The city's total cost for the project is $32 million.