Why is project taking so long?

Residents of Sussex/Wantage and surrounding areas are very upset about the bridge construction on Route 23 near the Double S Diner.
Weeks,and often months, go by with no activity whatsoever. In spite of that, the contractor has assembled barriers. These barriers threaten the very survival of several local businesses.
More importantly (than the business impact) is the dangerous situation that this mess is causing. It is almost impossible to safely access rt 23 from Pond School Road. This is an accident waiting to happen.
What bothers me so much is why this project is taking so long? It is a simple little two lane bridge. If workers would just show up five days a week, the whole thing would be done in a month. The DOT initially claimed that it will take upwards of three years! Keep in mind that the George Washington Bridge was built in a similar time frame.
Wantage Township, Sussex County Freeholders and our state legislators need to pressure the DOT to finish this project now. This could very easily turn into a disaster like the Route 206 project in Byram. That one mile job went on for years and years and years.
I just hope no one is killed in an accident at this site while we wait for action.
Michael Garrett
Wantage