The bridge replacement has been one of the projects in Polk County listed on the state&squo;s Transportation Improvement Plan. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation (DOT), $140,000 was spent previously and another $1.19 million is needed to replace the bridge over the North Pacolet River. The state indicates that $1.05 million has been allocated in fiscal year 2009 for the federal bridge replacement project.

The state has also listed on its Transportation Improvement Plan the replacement of a bridge on Pearsons Falls Road over a small branch of the Pacolet River. The state does not show funding available for that project until 2013.

The contract for the Pearsons Falls Road bridge replacement was one of three approved by the state this week.

Transportation Secretary Gene Conti has awarded more than $14.5 million in highway improvement projects in three counties. He was delegated authority to award the contracts by the N.C. Board of Transportation at its March 5 meeting in accordance with Gov. Perdue&squo;s Executive Order Number 2 issued on Jan. 12.

The other contracts approved are for projects in Ashe and Pitt counties. Included are contracts for the following bridge work:

&ull;&bsp; Replace two existing bridges over the Tar River on Grimesland Bridge Road (State Road 1565) near Grimesland in Pitt County. The $12.4 million contract was awarded to Rea Contracting LLC of Charlotte. Work is scheduled to begin as early as March 30, with final completion set for May 15, 2012;

&ull; Replace an existing bridge over Little Phoenix Creek on Old N.C. 16 (S.R. 1573) north of Jefferson in Ashe County. The $1.2 million contract was awarded to Summers-Taylor Inc. of Elizabethton, Tenn. Work can begin as early as March 30, with final completion set for Dec. 31.