The North Carolina Department of Transportation has confirmed the delayed opening of the I-73 connector, originally scheduled to be ready this week.

The News & Record of Greensboro reports that recent rains and utility delays have extended the opening of Interstate 73 until mid-May, as confirmed by NCDOT spokeswoman Michelle King on Monday.

The construction of the stretch between N.C. 68 and U.S. 220 is part of a $177 million project to build a 9-mile four-lane roadway. It will run from Bryan Boulevard and the Airport Parkway interchange to U.S. 220 near the Haw River.

The entire project, which extends south to Rockingham and north to the Virginia border, is slated to finish in July.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.