HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — Work on a new bridge linking South Carolina and Georgia is expected to begin next year.

The Georgia transportation officials expect a final permit in March and then work on the Back River Bridge on U.S. 17 can begin.

The bridge is the low one that motorists cross from South Carolina to Hutchinson Island before U.S. 17 climbs the high Talmadge Memorial Bridge crossing the Savannah River into downtown Savannah.

The Back River Bridge is safe, but it’s almost 60 years old and needs to be replaced. More than 19,000 vehicles cross it each day.

The $15 million replacement is expected to take about two-and-a-half years to build. Georgia is paying 90 percent of the cost. South Carolina is paying the rest.