ASHFIELD — The deteriorating bridge over Bear River on Beldingville Road has been approved for replacement by the state Department of Transportation (MassDOT), meaning the project will now enter the design phase.

MassDOT spokesperson John Goggin said regular inspections of the existing bridge have shown its beams are eroding.

The bridge replacement project was submitted to MassDOT’s Project Review Committee and was approved in December.

According to the MassDOT Highway Division’s project tracking system, the project is estimated to have a total construction cost of nearly $6.94 million, however, no state or federal funding has been committed to the project yet.

As it was just approved by the Project Review Committee, the project has not yet been entered into MassDOT’s Transportation Improvement Program, Goggin said. The project is not yet in the queue for funding and does not have a designer or a timeline for completion at this time.

While MassDOT works to begin planning and design, Goggin said the department will continue to monitor and inspect the existing bridge to ensure public safety. The bridge remains open to motorists.

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.