The bridge over the Pigeon River on U.S. 19/23 in downtown Canton will be replaced over the coming year, with work to start as soon as next month.

The $2.9 million project contract was awarded to Taylor and Murphy Construction Co. of Asheville. Work could begin as early as Aug. 29, and is scheduled for completion by Dec. 31, 2012.

The bridge was constructed in 1924 and needs replacing because of its age and condition. This is one of 16 contracts that were awarded at the end of July for highway and bridge projects across North Carolina. The total for the contracts was $277.7 million, and came in at about $27.3 million below DOT estimates.