NATCHEZ — Excluding a few rainy days, construction on The Bridge of Sighs is moving along.

Natchez Waterworks Superintendent Tony Moon said the bridge, which connects two sides of the bluff separated by Roth Hill Road, would be ready for public use July 15.

“We just need it to quit raining,” Moon said. “That’s kind of been the hold up with the progress.”

To date, Moon said the city has spent $456,536.41 on the project.

The projected total cost of the bridge, Moon said, is $743,554.75.

That cost includes construction and inspection costs.

Tuesday, the Natchez Board of Aldermen approved two payments for the project — one to Dozer LLC, the construction company spearheading the project; and another to Volkert Inc., an engineering firm performing inspections on the bridge.

Dozer is scheduled to receive a payment of $54,985.25, and Volkert will receive $8,503.24.

Each month, Moon said Dozer and Volkert submit an estimate of the cost for the amount of work that will be performed that month.

Then, aldermen approve costs, and payments are made.

“It’s just a way of moving the payments along,” Moon said.

Before the bridge is ready for its big debut, Moon said sidewalks leading up to the bridge must be raised to create a smooth transition onto the bridge.

Also, Moon said landscaping elements on either side of the bridge, along with electrical lighting, would be completed before July 15.

“It’s just going to add to the beauty of going out and looking over the bluff,” Moon said of the bridge. “This time next year, I’m sure there will be students taking their graduation photos out there.”

The Bridge of Sighs is a part of the Natchez Trails Project, which began in 2005 with the goal of providing more outdoor amenities for the city.

Natchez Mayor Butch Brown said no official ceremony has been scheduled for the bridge’s debut, but he is looking forward to what it will add to the bluff.

“It will become a focal point for viewing the river,” Brown said. “The bridge ties together the walking trail, and access to the upper bluff trail and the lower bluff trail. It also celebrates our history.”