Monroe county commissioners gave their approval yesterday for the plan, which will see them paying 18% of the cost, with FDOT paying 75% and the city of Marathon contributing the remainder.

The bridge provides the only land access betweeen Knights Key and Pigeon Key but advanced deterioration means that it has been closed to vehicle traffic.

A plan has been set out covering the next 30 years, beginning with a US$32.9 milion initial rehabilitation and repair stage.