The rapid replacement of Highway 417's Kent Street bridges has been delayed until later this fall due to concerns about a city water main.

The replacement had been scheduled for Sept. 27 and a new date has not yet been set, the Ministry of Transportation said Tuesday in a news release.

The water main lies beneath Chamberlain Avenue, which runs directly parallel to Highway 417 at Kent Street.

While other rapid bridge replacements in Ottawa have crossed water mains, this would be the first time the heavy equipment would run over a water main at length, a ministry spokesperson said.

The exact condition of the water main isn't known, and workers are now coming up with a plan to mitigate any potential damage, the ministry said.

The existing bridges remain safe and usable. Kent Street will remain closed and other lane reductions will also remain in effect while the construction equipment remains at the site.

A new bridge replacement date will be set once the plan is approved, the ministry said.