Division of Highways Engineer Robert Whipp said a material used to patch the tunnel has started to crack. Now, the state is trying to decide whether that material will work and whether the contractor is applying the material correctly.

Officials said the state has brought in experts from as far away as Canada to help with the decision.

Dan Sikora of the West Virginia Department of Highways said an expert is currently reviewing the specifications and the material data sheets. That person is expected to meet with highway officials next Tuesday to review the field work and provide recommendations on what to do next.

If the experts recommend a different material for patching, highway officials said they would have to analyze new costs and test the new material.

Officials did not provide a new completion date but said it could be "well into the summer" before the eastbound lanes are open.

Highway engineers said they also expect the cost of the project to increase, but did not estimate how much that increase might be. Engineers said taxpayers could end up footing the bill if it is determined the contractor did the work correctly and the West Virginia Department of Highways specifications were wrong.

The Department of Transportation may have the money to cover the increasing cost, but if not they may dip into funds for other projects.

The original contract price was $5.7 million.

Stay with NEWS9 for continuing coverage.

-Renee Cardelli & Jasmine Lo, NEWS9

Previous Stories: April 18, 2007: Wheeling Tunnel Construction Will Take Longer Than Expected April 16, 2007: Westbound Wheeling Tunnel Work Could Begin Sooner Than Planned April 4, 2007: Closed-Circuit TV System Could Be Tunnel Safety Feature March 30, 2007: Tunnel Crews Work Double Shifts To Catch Up to Deadline March 23, 2007: Tunnel Work Will Take More Manpower, Officials Say March 13, 2007: Wheeling Tunnel Project Over Budget March 13, 2007: Renovation of Wheeling Tunnel Over Budget February 19, 2007: Wheeling Tunnel Construction On Schedule January 24, 2007: Wheeling Island Residents And Police Talk Tunnel Traffic January 17, 2007: Eastbound Lanes Of Wheeling Tunnel Closed January 17, 2007: Is There A Better Detour Around The Tunnel? January 16, 2007: Wheeling Tunnel Construction Begins Wednesday January 12, 2007: Tunnel Closure Draws Nearer January 8, 2007: One Lane Of Wheeling Tunnel To Close This Week December 28, 2006: City Officials Have Plan B For Tunnel Construction Detour December 27, 2006: Proposed Detour Could Be Difficult For Trucks October 30, 2006: Tunnel Detour Route Released