The project to replace the Morrin Bridge should begin this fall.

The Mail reported in August of last year that the Morrin Bridge was on Alberta Transportation’s schedule for replacement.

The contract to replace the bridge has been awarded to Trevcon Enterprises Ltd. of Calgary.

“The project is expected to begin in September and be completed in the fall of 2020,” said Anna Neale of Alberta Transportation.

“The existing bridge is at the end of its service life, so it will be removed once the new bridge is finished. The work that is going to be started in September is going to be doing some piles for some fill, the construction of the road embankments and a berm for the pier construction.”

The new bridge will be located just north of the existing bridge. It will be an open steel girder bridge, unlike the existing truss bridge. This will improve sightlines and improve the safety. There will also be adjustments to the approaches to improve the drivability.

“The existing bridge only has a 7.3-metre wide roadway, and the new bridge is going to have a 12-metre roadway, with one lane in either direction,” she said.

This will help accommodate moving machinery. Additionally, the lack of the trusses removes any height restrictions for the bridge.

The government is working with Starland County, which owns some of the land the new bridge will be located on, to develop a boat a launch for recreational users and emergency services.

The estimated value of the new bridge is $20.4 million.

“We ask for patience during construction, there will be some minimal traffic impacts. There will be signage and all the traffic impacts will be posted on Alberta 511. People can check at Alberta 511, or check us on Twitter, and to be patient and watch for flag people during construction.”