RATHDRUM - Construction on a bridge replacement that will connect Highway 41 with Highway 53 in the heart of Rathdrum has been delayed.

Construction was expected to start this year, but it's now looking like it will be bumped to March, city and state officials said.

"There is the possibility of the construction work beginning this year, but it will be up to the contractor," said Justin Wuest of the Idaho Transportation Department, which is managing the project. "There are some constraints from BNSF (Railway) for work within their right of way during the last quarter of the year."

The bid opening to determine the contractor, now set for Sept. 18, was earlier postponed due to some needed changes in the contract language, Wuest said.

The new bridge, which will take about two years to complete, will have four vehicle lanes with a sidewalk on both sides. It is expected to cost about $5 million to construct and will be funded with federal dollars and a state match of 7.34 percent.

"It's something that the town really needs," said Rathdrum resident Linda Moss. "It will be nice when it's done."

The current bridge - built in 1936 - has two driving lanes and a 5-foot bike-pedestrian path.

There will be lane restrictions and delays during construction, but traffic will continue on the bridge during the project. The bridge goes over BNSF Railway tracks.

The average daily traffic count for the bridge is 12,200 vehicles and is expected to nearly double over the next 20 years.

ITD has obtained all the necessary right of way for the project. However, a portion of a city water main along Highway 53 needs to be relocated. Wuest said ITD will fund the relocation work.

This isn't the first time the timeline for the bridge replacement has changed. Originally, construction wasn't expected to start until next year or 2014.