FLORENCE — City officials are cautiously optimistic that funding for a major street and bridge project will be available from a state grant.

At a meeting Wednesday of Downtown Florence Unlimited, Mayor Mickey Haddock said he and others are in regular contact with Alabama Department of Transportation officials about grant money.

If funding is approved, he said, the city’s share would be used to begin widening West College Street and building a bridge over Cypress Creek that would link downtown to Alabama 20 and the sports complex. The estimated cost is $20 million.

City engineer Bill Batson said West College, from Dr. Hicks Boulevard to West Mobile Street, will be five lanes, as will be the street on the west side of the creek. The bridge will have four lanes, he said.