Painting of the Lecompton Kansas River bridge is expected to start May 12 and continue into August.

Douglas County commissioners earlier this week approved the solicitation of bids for the project. The painting is a follow-up to last year’s redecking of the bridge, which is on the border between Douglas and Jefferson counties. The bridge will remain open during the work, although one lane will be closed while equipment is on the bridge.

The project includes removing lead-based paint from the steel superstructure and repainting it with an organic zinc-waterborne acrylic paint.

The contractor will have the option of installing temporary traffic signals or having workers use flags.

The cost of the repainting is to be shared by Douglas and Jefferson counties on a percentage determined by November 2006 valuations. Douglas County will pay 88.69 percent while Jefferson County will pay 11.31 percent.