CHESTER, Ill. (WSIL) -- Construction on the new Don Welge Memorial Bridge is progressing, but Missouri transportation officials say there is still significant work to be done before it can replace the existing bridge.

Brian Okenfuss, the project director, says they are on schedule to complete the bridge by July of next year.

“Construction's progressing very well on the Illinois Tower. We've just completed it to the top. The tower in the center of the river is about 90% complete,” Okenfuss said.

He says the tower that connects the Missouri side of the bridge is also fully completed.

"The contractor's been working very diligently and things are going well," Okenfuss says. "The river has been cooperating to this point. So we're very pleased."

The new bridge will replace the current one a

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