(KLZA)--A nearly 70-year-old bridge near Fairfax, Missouri will be replaced this summer.

The Tarkio River Bridge, just west of Fairfax on Route J, was built in 1952. A $1.445-million project to replace the bridge is scheduled to begin April 15.

The Phillips Hardy Inc. contractors, working with the Missouri Department of Transportation crews will work through the summer with plans to reopen the bridge at the end of August.

The current bridge is structurally deficient.  It is 22-feet wide and 281-feet long.  The new bridge will meet current standards and will be 24-feet wide with 16-inch safety barrier curbs on each side.

Route J will be closed at the bridge during construction.