The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced plans to close two bridges in east-central Georgia starting Monday, March 2. The closures are intended to allow for the demolition and reconstruction of the bridges, which GDOT says will help crews work more efficiently and safely while reducing the overall construction timeline.
In Newton County, State Route 81 will be closed at Dried Indian Creek. The project was awarded to CMES, Inc. with a contract value of $5.5 million. The closure is expected to last about five months. During this period, traffic will be detoured via SR 81 north to US 278, US 278 west to I-20, I-20 west to Exit 84/SR 162, and SR 162 south back to SR 81.
Another closure will affect State Route 80 at the Little River near the McDuffie/Wilkes/Warren County line. E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. received a $4.2 million contract for this bridge replacement project. This closure is anticipated to last approximately nine months. The detour route will take drivers from SR 80 south to I-20, I-20 east to Exit 172/US 78, then US 78 north back to SR 80.
GDOT noted that all schedules are subject to change depending on weather conditions.
