Crews are expected to begin preservation work next month on the South Banks Channel Bridge in Wrightsville Beach, according to a news release.

The N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has awarded a $3.7 million contract to Maryland-based Coastal Gunite Construction Co., stated the release.

The bridge on Causeway Drive over the Banks Channel was built in 1972, officials said. The last preservation project on the bridge was in late 2011.

Work to preserve the bridge could start as early as mid-September, NCDOT officials said.

"This is a typical bridge preservation project," Alex Stewart, a resident engineer, at NCDOT's Division 3 Wilmington office, said Monday. "Lots of the work will actually be taking place underneath the structure, in addition to above."

There will also be concrete repairs on the structure, he said.

"With respect to above ground, which is something that more people will likely see, we're going to do a new epoxy overlay of the bridge, and we're actually going to be removing and replacing the pedestrian safety rail. I know that was a topic that many people talked about, as well. So, I think it's going to be a great feature that many people are going to enjoy the product on."

The work is expected to be complete in the fall of 2022.