(KNZA)--The Brown County Commission has approved a contract and commitment of county funds for a bridge replacement project.

The Commission Monday approved awarding the contract for the replacement of a bridge over Muddy Creek on the Brown-Nemaha County line, northeast of Wetmore, to Ebert Construction, of Wamego, in the amount of nearly $556,000 ( $555,571)

The Kansas Department of Transportation approved the bid January 15. 

Federal funds through KDOT will pay for 80 percent of the construction costs.

The county's share of the project cost will be $123,000, which will be split with Nemaha County.

Construction is expected to begin this spring.