Construction crews are expected to begin demolition of the flood-damaged Chesley Main Street Bridge shortly.
Bruce County council has awarded the tender for removal of the bridge to Watford-based Schouten Excavating for $264,000 and work is expected to begin as early as next week.
Warden Paul Eagleson says the contractor is meeting with county staff to go over technical details, and they remain confident the new bridge will be open by the end of the year.
"I'm happy to report that we are on schedule, I do know that this morning, the firm for the demolition, they're meeting on-site today with county staff and municipal staff, just to go over some of the details," says Eagleson.
Director of Corporate Services Bettyanne Cobean says the tender specifications require the bridge to be removed by June 8, adding the county expects to post the tender for construction of the new bridge early next week.
Bruce County council has also formally appealed to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, requesting disaster assistance funding to help cover the approximate $3.2-million cost of the bridge replacement.
Cobean says the county does not yet know how much of the cost is eligible to be covered by the province.