The city of Spokane says it has accepted a $493,000 state grant that will cover roughly half the cost of the $985,000 renovation project at the former railroad bridge known as the Iron Bridge, which is to be part of a pedestrian and bike path spanning the Spokane River, just east of Gonzaga University.

John Mercer, manager of capital programs for the city's public works and utilities department, says the city plans for the work to be done there next year.

Meantime, Mercer says he expects the city to award a $90,000 contract in the coming weeks to HDR Engineering Inc., of Spokane, to design the project and provide inspection services. A contractor hasn't been selected for the project yet.

The state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) awarded the grant in August, and the City Council agreed earlier this month to terms and conditions required by the agency. The other half of the project cost will be covered through private donations and a community development block grant, Mercer says.

Iron Bridge LLC, which developed the nearby Iron Bridge office park, at 1401 E. Trent, plans to donate access easements to the east side of the bridge through its property, Mercer says.

The city acquired the former Union Pacific Railroad Co. bridge in the early 1970s. It's identified in the city's six-year transportation plan as an eventual connection to the Centennial Trail, just west of the bridge, and the Ben Burr Trail, which goes up the South Hill, he says.