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N.C. Department of Transportation contract crews will replace the bridge on Old Cottonville Road over Hardy Creek in Stanly County starting as soon as mid-July. The $872,201 contract was awarded last month to NJR Group, Inc. of Albemarle.

The bridge has been closed since mid-May when crews discovered a hole in the bridge deck during a routine inspection and closed the bridge immediately. The bridge will remain closed during the upcoming replacement project and is anticipated to open to traffic by mid-March 2023.

A signed detour will take drivers around the project using Old Cottonville Road, Hinson Road and Cottonville Road.