Bonner Bridge contract to be awarded in spring 2010

The contract to build a short bridge parallel to the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge is expected to be awarded next spring, according to Sen. Marc Basnight.

State and federal officials have decided to build a relatively short bridge parallel to the Bonner Bridge to take its place. The competing proposal was for a much longer and less direct bridge.

In a 2007 inspection, the Bonner Bridge earned 2 out of a possible 100 points, with 100 being a perfect score. To improve the structure, the state approved $50 million for repairs.

The bridge is 45-years-old.