PORTSMOUTH - The float-out of the Memorial Bridge lift span has been delayed once again.

The likely time frame has been expanded to as late as tomorrow night, which is cutting it close to the 72-hour deadline approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for closing the Piscataqua River channel near the bridge.

The barge “Cape Cod,” which has been near the bridge on the New Hampshire side for days, will be put into place today between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The actual float-out will likely occur sometime within 16 hours following the placement of the barge.

The 72-hour time period approved by the USCG started at 7 a.m. on Monday, and ends at 7 a.m. on Thursday.

The float-out was originally scheduled for Monday night, then postponed to today. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation issued an advisory this morning announcing the latest delay.

The removal of the lift span requires the use of two 250-ton cranes on barges, four tugboats, and the “Cape Cod” that carries four towers equipped with 300-ton hydraulic jacks.

The process begins with positioning the crane barges adjacent to the navigation channel and the “Cape Cod” under the lift span.

After the “Cape Cod” is positioned into place, the wire ropes connecting the lift span to the counterweights will be cut, freeing the two-million pound lift span. The barge will then be moved by the tugboats out of the main navigational channel and over to an area near Prescott Park or the Port Authority Pier, depending on the time of removal, to be secured for shipment.

The public is welcome to observe the lift span removal and float-out operations from safe nearby locations, including Prescott Park, Four Tree Island and Peirce Island.