Good progress is being made on the construction of a new Highway 75 bridge outside of St. Jean.

The project started in fall and crews have been working through the winter despite the cold and snow.

"The sheet piling has gone down, the concrete has been poured on the south side and they're pouring concrete on the north side of the river," said Derek Sabourin, reeve for the RM of Montcalm. "I'm not sure when the bridge spans will be put on, but it looks like they are making good progress."

The bridge project is part of the effort to raise Highway 75 to the same level as Interstate 29 in North Dakota on a stretch that runs from just south St. Jean to north of Morris. That would allow the highway to remain open under most flood conditions, including a 2009 flood.

"In talking to MIT, the bridge project, St. Jean's north and south entrances and the raising and resurfacing of a five kilometre stretch of highway south of St. Jean to a couple of kilometres north should be complete by late next fall. We're crossing our fingers and hoping the weather doesn't delay things."

Sabourin added, the construction work will cause some inconvenience for local residents, but it's something that is easily managed.