The North Carolina Department of Transportation in the US is planning to begin construction work on the Interstate 85 bridge over the Yadkin River from 29 September.

The first phase of the $300m project, due to begin in October, includes replacing the ageing bridge in the state, rated as substandard by AAA Carolinas, as well as making improvements to other bridges over the river.

The state has already awarded a $136m contract to Flatiron-Lane, a joint venture of Flatiron Constructors and the Lane Construction, for phase one.

Flatiron-Lane will also be responsible for building a new bridge over US Highways 29 and 70 over the river, as well as widening lanes and reconfiguring interchanges, according to the-dispatch.com.

Phase one will be paid with federal grant money, bonds and state funds.