Work began recently to replace the Route 602 (Burkes Pond Road) bridge in Gloucester. State transportation officials said the project is expected to be completed by mid-October.

The Virginia Department of Transportation awarded a $1.2 million contract to Abernathy Construction Corp. of Glen Allen in late November, said Kelly Hannon, communications manager for VDOT’s Fredericksburg District, which covers 16 counties including Gloucester and Mathews.

Because a detour is in place in that area, Hannon said, VDOT has included an incentive for the contractor to finish the work earlier than the Oct. 15 contract date. VDOT is offering to pay $1,065 for each day early Abernathy completes the work, up to $31,000.

The bridge had been slated to remain open through the end of 2014, with construction to begin in early 2015. But VDOT had to close the bridge and implement a detour in that area early last September, Hannon said, after an annual inspection found additional deterioration among t...