BREA

Construction will begin next week on an $800,000, 80-foot bridge connecting Mercury Lane to a parking structure, in anticipation of the expected overflow of traffic in the redeveloped downtown. The two-lane bridge, which will span the Brea Canyon Channel, will divert traffic from downtown streets by allowing cars to drive directly into the five-level parking structure from Mercury Lane, City Engineer Phil Wray said. The overpass is expected to be finished in five months, Wray said, to coincide with the opening of several retail shops and restaurants.