WINONA (AP) — State transportation officials are recommending a new two-lane interstate bridge be built over the Mississippi River, next to the existing span in Winona which has been listed as structurally deficient.

MnDOT said once the new bridge is finished, the existing one will be refurbished. The announcement Thursday afternoon ended years of discussion on what to do with the 70-year-old bridge. MnDOT considered a number of alternatives, including just fixing the old bridge.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Gov. Mark Dayton and others pushed for a second span over the Mississippi.

Construction is expected to begin in 2015.