"Severely corroded" and "deteriorating" is no way to talk about a lady, but that's exactly how a city staff report describes the 92-year-old Victoria bridge on Ridout Street South near Horton Street.

The report, which will be examined by the civic works committee Tuesday, said that the 92-year-old bridge is nearing the end of its life and will either need to be refurbished or replaced within the next three to four years at an estimated cost of more than $14 million.

The crossing that links Old South with downtown London was first built in 1875, and rebuilt in 1926, before being refurbished and reinforced in 1956. Some of the pieces of the original 1875 bridge have been incorporated into the current bridge.

The report recommends replacing the deteriorating structure by 2021, with a new through arch bridge design that includes two lanes for vehicle traffic, a northbound on-street cycle lane and a four metre wide multi-use pathway for southbound bicycle and foot traffic.