COVINGTON, Ky. -- Officials are hoping to have the John A. Roebling Bridge reopened to traffic by May 1. Repairs are scheduled to begin Wednesday.

The historic bridge has been closed since it was damaged in a crash last month. A piece of steel added in the 1890s to strengthen the structure cracked when a car hit it.

The Cincinnati-based Evers Steel Construction won the estimated $62,000 contract for the work, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet announced. They will remove the damaged plate and replace it with a new one.

The plan has been approved by state transportation officials and the Kentucky Heritage Council.

Police have a warrant for the suspected driver in the crash, 24-year-old Demarko Page of Cincinnati. Investigators said Page lied about being the driver.

Page is facing charges of falsely reporting an incident, operating a motor vehicle on a suspended or revoked license and failure of owner to maintain required insurance.

The Roebling Bridge was the world's longest when it opened in 1866.