Scott Bridge of Opelika, Alabama, has won the contract, which will more than double the capacity for commercial and pleasure vessels using the waterway.

The bridge was built in 1925 and has a swing span that pivots to allow barges and other vessels to pass. It provides a channel with 44.5m horizontal clearance.

Scott Bridge's contract will replace the existing swing span with a vertical lift span to provide an improved horizontal clearance of 91m. The lift span will rise 18.3m, providing plenty of vertical clearance for vessels that routinely use the waterway.

Construction expected to start within two months and take two years to complete, with minimal impact on rail and river traffic.

The bridge is named for its location approximately 14 miles (22.5km) north of Mobile.