Heads up for Greene County motorists, a bridge replacement project is underway in the northern portion of the county.

Iowa Department of Transportation District Engineer Tony Gustafson tells Raccoon Valley Radio the contractor, Graves Construction from Spencer, Iowa, is replacing a bridge on Highway 144 near the city of Paton with a 10-foot by 12-foot box culvert. He says this over 60 year old structure had exceeded its lifespan and converting it into a culvert is a cheaper option, but still a reliable structure.

Gustafson advises the official, paved detour route is County Road E-18 to County Road P-46 to County Road E-68 back to Highway 144. He expects the project to take up to three months, weather permitting, and the cost was just over $1 million.