Transportation officials said Friday, the final phase of the Ala. Hwy. 55 project in Georgiana will be let for bids at the end of the month.

Tony Harris, Alabama Department of Transportation’s bureau chief of media and community relations, said the first phase of the project consisted of building the dirt road bed for the highway. Now, bids are being sought for the base and paving of the 4.6-mile section of roadway.

Bids will be opened on July 29, he said.

“From that time to giving the notice to proceed is between 45 to 60 days,” he said. “That would put construction beginning late September or early October.”

Harris said it will take approximately 24 months to complete the project. Cost for the project is estimated between $6.9 million and $8.4 million.

The project has been under way since May 2009.