<div id="subtitle">Missouri highway commissioners award contract for new Mississippi River bridge at St. Louis</div><div><p>Missouri Highway commissioners have approved a $229.5 million contract to build the main span of a new bridge over the Mississippi River at St. Louis.</p><p>Illinois transportation officials concurred.</p><p>The joint bid from Massman Construction/Traylor Brothers/Alberici Constructors was the low bid, but about $39 million more than officials had expected.</p><p>The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission met Wednesday to decide whether to accept the bid, or postpone the already long-delayed project.</p><p>Missouri transportation officials say the bridge will improve safety, relieve congestion on other spans, and promote economic growth in the region.</p><p>About $41 million in the project will go to qualified minority- or woman-owned businesses.</p><p>Officials in Missouri and Illinois have hoped to start construction on the proposed four-lane span as early as next year, with work taking four to six years.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66142603&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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