The province has finalized a design for a near-quarter-billion dollar bridge replacement in Sicamous on the Trans-Canada Highway.

The new RW Bruhn Bridge will be five lanes, and the approaches on both sides will be widened to four lanes.

Sicamous town manager Evan Parliament says the new structure is much needed.

“It’s 57-58 years old, it needs to be replaced,” he said. “We’re delighted that not only was the funding secured a month ago, but the announcement to go ahead with the final design in 2019 and hopefully begin construction in 2020-2021.”

The project will cost $224.5-million, and it’s part of the province’s plan to four-lane the Trans-Canada from Kamloops to the Alberta border.

“It’s going to be the largest public works project in our history,” added Parliament. “Although it’s a provincial project, it’s going to impact Sicamous.”

“It’s going to bring jobs to our community. So we’re thrilled.”

The federal government is paying about $91-million of the projects total cost.