In the next few weeks, work will begin to replace the Emerald Bridge after a routine inspection in early December found that the span had some structural damage.

Construction on the replacement wasn't expected to start until later this year but complaints from nearby residents about the 15-kilometre detour forced the government to act.

Darrell Evans with the Department of Transportation said the province managed to come up with the extra money to make the $800,000 replacement project happen months earlier than planned.

"We didn't think we had any money to do it until after April 1 but we found some dollars, so we are going to get at it right away," he said.

"There were some projects that were under budget and some projects that we didn't spend as much money as we thought so it's good news for people in that area. They're going to get a bridge a little quicker than they would have otherwise."

Evans hopes work will begin by early to mid-February and be completed by the end of March. He said the new bridge will be made using concrete.

"What's there now is a steel structure with a timber deck and asphalt with timber abutments. But now it will be a pre-cast concrete, three-sided arch that will span about 50 feet," he said.

A public information meeting is planned for Wednesday night at the Emerald Community Centre.