INDIAN RIVER, MI -- Work has began to replace an iconic bridge in Indian River.

The Indian River bridge on Straits Highway will be completely destroyed and rebuilt over the next four to five months.

The project will cost $1.4-million and will be funded mostly by M-DOT.

The bridge is being replaced to make the crossing wider, among other safety reasons.

While the construction happens, there will be a detour.  Traffic will be shifted from Straits Highway to I-75 as work moves forward.