Officials in Manheim Township and East Hempfield Township are teaming up on a proposal to replace a bridge for an estimated $2 million.

The two-lane span connects Dairy Road to Rohrerstown Road, which also carries motorists to the Route 283 interchange.

Each township would contribute $50,000 toward the project, with the rest coming in the form of county, state and federal funds, officials said.

Both townships still need to give the project the final go-ahead, but if all goes as planned, a new bridge could be built within four years, East Hempfield Township Manager Robert Krimmel said this week.

Because East Hempfield already has a state-approved engineering firm lined up for other work, officials from both townships agreed it would be the "lead community" with the bridge project.

Manheim Township Manager Michael D. Rimer said not having to go through the process of selecting an engineering firm will reduce the project's completion time by four to six months.

Krimmel said he expects the new bridge will be built next to the existing span, which would should remain open to traffic during construction.

"The importance of this bridge is, it's the only connection between the Dairy Road residents and businesses to the other roads in that area," Krimmel said.

Officials from both townships could consider final approval of the project within coming weeks.

Then, they would meet with state Department of Transportation officials to discuss the project.

The bridge is structurally sound, both township managers said, but "it's just getting up there in age. … It's a concern, especially to the businesses up there, since it's older," Rimer said.

doconnor@lnpnews.com