The new pedestrian bridge erected over Saccarappa Falls in downtown Westbrook was partially open last week, as the construction of the Bridge Street bridge replacement project and related public improvements nears completion.

The bridge approach on the northern side of the river is still under construction, along with much of the streetscape improvements that coincide with the city’s portion of the work.

Jack Turner, the foreman on the project for Reed & Reed Inc., said Monday that the next steps are to complete the sidewalks and other pedestrian projects on the southern side of the river prior to completing the pedestrian bridge. He said that includes Main Street and surrounding the Edwards Block building.

“We’re trying to open up as much as we can to the public as it happens,” he said, referring to the partially open pedestrian bridge.

Pedestrians must still use the temporary sidewalk on the Bridge Street bridge to travel over the river.

Turner said construction is on schedule to be completed this September, more than six months ahead of the initial Department of Transportation timeline.

The $6.2 million project is funded mostly by the state, with related public improvements paid for by the city, at an estimated cost of about $1.4 million. However, after offsetting grants and state compensation, costs to Westbrook will fall to under $1 million.

The pedestrian bridge over the Presumpscot River, along with the entire Bridge Street bridge project, is slated to be finished by mid-September.

The approach to the northern side of the pedestrian bridge will not be completed until sometime in September, according to project foreman Jack Turner.