Construction will begin next week on a nearly $500,000 project to install a ride-by radio meter system in Florala.

Utilities manager Lynn Hughes said Empire Pipe has been awarded the $456,470 contract. She said preliminary site work will start next week and the new meter installation will begin by Aug. 1.

The project calls for 441 gas meters and 1,120 residential meters and is expected money by reducing the time and manpower it takes to physically read the meters.