A Valentine construction firm has been awarded the bid for the construction of the Highway 71 overpass on the west edge of Scottsbluff.

Perrett Construction with a $6.9 million bid was awarded the contract for the project, which District Five Highway Director Craig Lind says is planned to be complete by this time next year. The initial work on the project is tentatively set to begin next month.

The project involves construction of a new viaduct over the Burlington Northern-Santa Fe railroad and US. Highway 26. The realignment will tie into the existing intersection of Highway 26 and Highway 71. County Road 20 will be relocated west along Highway 26 and left turn lanes will be added along Highway 26 at the intersections of Co. Rd. 20 and Nebraska Highway 92.