WATERLOO -- Construction of a new 18th Street bridge across the Cedar River could begin early next month.

Waterloo City Council members voted unanimously Monday to award a $4.45 million contract with Peterson Contractors Inc. of Reinbeck to build the 658-foot long span to replace the failing 81-year-old green overhead truss bridge.

PCI submitted the lowest of six bids on the project, which were opened Feb. 17 by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Council members still must approve an actual contract with PCI and an engineering inspection contract with Earth Tech before work can begin.

"They're anxious to get going," said City Engineer Eric Thorson. "At this point it looks like they'll start in early April."

The full project, which includes some approach roadway work, is expected to be complete in the summer of 2005, although the new bridge could be open before then. The existing bridge will remain open during the construction process while the new bridge is built on the upstream side. The old structure then will be demolished.

Community Planning and Development Director Don Temeyer said the construction bids keep the city on track to meet the overall $6 million project budget.

The DOT has awarded a $2.1 million grant from the Revitalize Iowa's Sound Economy program to help finance the project. Other funding sources include a $1 million federal bridge replacement grant, $1.7 million in federal Surface Transportation Program revenue earmarked annually by the local Transportation Policy Board, and $1.2 million from city bonds or other sources yet to be identified.

In other business, council members unanimously approved:

-- A site plan change reducing the size of a previously approved elderly housing complex near Logan Plaza on the city's north side.

Retirement Housing Foundation of Long Beach, Calif., had received approval from the Waterloo City Council in June 2002 to construct a 70-unit apartment building for low-income elderly residents on the northwest corner of Donald and East Fourth streets, directly east of the Logan Plaza commercial development.

But the new site plan reduces the project to 39 apartments for people age 62 and over.

The project drew support from the neighboring Good Shepherd Lutheran Church.

"Our church met with (company representative Tom) Nutting and we're all in favor of this development," said the Rev. James Carstenson. "We're anxious to see it go."

-- The following appointments and reappointments to the city's Cultural and Arts Commission: Rose Middleton, Susie Heaton, Tom Langlas, Karol Rae Hoth, Steve Showers, Mike Broshar, Barb Heitzman and Matt Hundley.