City commissioners were told Tuesday night that a major bridge replacement may be coming for 23rd Street.

Leaders with the Kansas Department of Transportation told commissioners that the bridge on 23rd Street between Barker and Haskell avenues could be replaced as early as 2010, depending on future funding.

The project would require the state to build a pair of “shoo-fly” detours to allow traffic to get around the construction site. The detours would be short-two lane roads directly north and south of the bridge.

The new bridge also could be significantly lower than the current bridge, which would allow for greater sight distance for motorists. The total project is expected to cost about $1.4 million.

KDOT leaders are hosting a public meeting on the project from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. June 25 at Douglas County 4-H Fairgrounds.