The Rhode Island Department of Transportation in the US has awarded a $105m contract to construct a new interstate highway bridge across the Pawtucket River.

A joint venture of two US-based companies S&R Corp and PIHL received the contract for work due to be completed in 2012.

The project involves building a new Route 95 bridge in the US state for $81m, replacing an existing highway bridge and works on three nearby overpasses.

The project cost will be jointly financed by federal and state money, according to projo.com.