I-17 Pedestrian Bridge at Jomax Road Complete, Remains Closed

If you've driven on Interstate 17 in North Phoenix within the past year, you may have noticed the new pedestrian bridge that crosses over the freeway between Jomax Road and Dixileta Road. The bridge will allow pedestrians, cyclists, and horseback riders to continue along the multi-use path that follows the Hayden-Rhodes Aqueduct.

The bridge was scheduled to open in the fall of 2012, however, that never happened. For some reason, the fences never came down. Currently, a locked gate prevents people from using the bridge, whose construction has been finished for approximately four months now.

I don't know what is going on with the bridge, but I am sure that the residents of North Phoenix would appreciate a safe way to cross the freeway while they are out for a jog or a ride.

I want to know: what's the deal? How come the bridge is done and not open?