The state is expected to accept a $44.1 million construction bid for the Manette Bridge replacement, finalizing the last step needed before construction begins in July.

The lowest bid came from Manson Construction and Mowat Construction, which is about 4 percent more than the state Department of Transportation’s estimate of $42.3 million. The $44.1 million figure was well within the state’s target range, said Bill Elliot, project engineer for the 80-year-old bridge replacement.

The total cost for the project is about $55.4 million. Construction administration runs at $4 million and $1.7 million is set aside for unforeseen expenses. Pre-construction and design expenses since the mid-1990s total at about $5 million and the state paid for a $600,000 right-of-way.

The project is paid for by the Bridge Preservation Program, which gets most of its money through the federal government.

A four-month closure of the current bridge is expected between April and October of 2011 or 2012, depending on construction progress. The downtown side of the bridge will have the same lane configuration as it does now and the Manette side will have a roundabout. The new bridge is scheduled to to open late 2012 or early 2013.