SOMERSET, Mass. -- Massachusetts' top highway official toured a key bridge construction project on the SouthCoast on Wednesday.

Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen saw how work on the new Brightman Street Bridge is progressing. The project is now in the hands of its fourth and final contractor.

The bridge crosses the Taunton River between Fall River and Somerset. It will replace the old Brightman Street Bridge, which opened in 1908.

Construction began in 1999, and the bridge was supposed to be done this year. But the project has been plagued by setbacks. It is now on track for completion in November 2012.

"I agree it's taken a long time -- longer than we would have liked. But we're now into the home stretch, and it's going to be a great facility when it's done," Cohen said.

The project will cost an estimated $300 million.