The Overlanders Bridge will get a new surface, but first it has to be scanned to determine the extent of the work that needs to be done.

City utilities director Tracy Kyle said Wednesday the bridge examination will be done using infrared scanning.

“We’re doing an infrared survey. That’ll help us assess the situation a little better and the scope of what’s required. Then it will go out to tender. We hope to get construction going as soon as weather permits,” she said.

The resurfacing will begin as soon as possible in 2014.

But given the bridge is the main crossing for thousands of cars every day, the City will be working with the contractor to come up with a plan to minimize the impact on traffic.

There will be some disruption, because there’s no way to resurface the bridge without closing some lanes, but it will be done as smoothly as possible, Kyle said.

“When we get a consultant/contractor on board, we’ll work with them on a traffic management plan: how to phase it and how to reduce impact on flow of traffic.”

The $6-million project will be completed as quickly as possible in 2014.