A public meeting is set for Nov. 17 for Department of Conservation and Recreation officials to talk up plans to convert Lower Mills’ former railroad bridge over the Neponset River into a pedestrian bridge.

Built in 1917, the bridge is between Dorchester and Milton and was aimed at serving the Walter Baker Chocolate Factory, which has since been converted into condominiums. The agency’s plans now aim for the bridge to connect the Neponset River Greenway’s pedestrian and bicycle paths and the condominiums.

The project, expected to cost $843,300, will likely get underway during the winter, with work lasting into summer 2011. The plans include repairing the bridge’s steel structure, replacing railroad ties with a 10-foot-wide timber deck, and a new paved path.

The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Park Mill function room of the Baker Square Condominiums on Adams St.

The project will be funded through a statewide bridge repair program. Winn Development, which is redeveloping the historic Baker mill complex, is shouldering $70,000 of the cost.

“This bridge will create a nice, direct connection between the pathway and residential areas across the river, helping make the greenway easily accessible for everyone,” DCR Commissioner Richard Sullivan Jr. said in a statement.

UPDATE 4:45 PM: This article was updated to reflect corrections to information provided by DCR.