The UK office of Irish contractor Wills Bros will start work on 11 May on a £9.8m project for Devon County Council to replace Baulk Bridge, which carries the B3181 over the River Culm south of Cullompton.
The original bridge was built in 1924 but is suffering from steel corrosion and concrete deterioration. It will be replaced by a new 30-metre span bridge slightly downstream, to be known as Bramley Bridge.
Cllr Dan Thomas, cabinet member for highways, said: "It's vital this link is upgraded as it's a busy non-motorway link between Exeter and Cullompton used by around 5,000 vehicles every day, as well as being an important diversion route for the M5 motorway."
As the new bridge is being built downstream, the works will also involve realigning a 320-metre section of the B3181.
'By delivering the new bridge on a new alignment, the team will be able to keep traffic moving on the existing road for much of the works, reducing disruption for road users and improving connectivity in the area,' said Wills Bros in a statement after winning the job.
Funding for the project will come from the council's Bridges and Structures Local Transport Capital Fund.
The works were originally expected to cost £6m or £7.2m including VAT, when the contract was advertised last Autumn.
The council received five bids and four were assessed at the final stage, with Wills Bros beating bids from Associated Asphalt, Montel Civil Engineering and Suttle Projects to a contract now valued at £8.1m or £9.8m including VAT.
