GOSHEN — A construction project to widen the Monroe Street Bridge is expected to begin this spring but could be delayed if utility infrastructure is not relocated on time.

Northern Indiana Construction Company Inc. has been hired replace the bridge’s beams and widen the 30-foot bridge by another 16 feet. The city of Goshen is also planning to add a path for pedestrians and bicyclists to the bridge. But before any work can begin, utility poles, a gas line and a city water main need to be moved, according to Elkhart County Highway Department engineer Tom Rushlow.

Rushlow said the highway department hopes construction can begin as early as March 11 and end by July 12 before the Elkhart County 4-H Fair kicks off a week later. The bridge is just west of the fairgrounds over Rock Run Creek. If the utilities cannot be relocated before March 11, the work will be postponed until Aug. 5 with an estimated completion date of Dec. 6, Rushlow said.

The Northern Indiana Construction Company was awarded a roughly $453,891 contract Monday morning for the bridge project. The company offered the lowest proposal among five bidders vying for the job. The highest bid came in around $781,128.