Peach Tree Times

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has announced an impending traffic shift for the State Route (SR) 25 bridge over the Middle River in Port Wentworth. The shift is scheduled for Monday, April 21, and is contingent upon favorable weather conditions.

On the morning of April 21, crews will complete the roadway markings and install temporary barrier walls to facilitate the transition to the new bridge by midday.

After the shift, traffic will temporarily move into a reduced lane configuration on the west side of the new bridge. This adjustment will allow for the final touches on the roadway and shoulder construction. The bridge's final traffic configuration is expected to be implemented by late June after all construction activities are completed. Meanwhile, the demolition of the existing Middle River bridge will begin soon after the traffic shift and is not expected to impact travel lanes.

This project involves constructing new bridges that are offset approximately 50 feet north and parallel to the old alignments. The construction began in the third quarter of 2022, and after over 18 months, the new James P. Houlihan Bridge over the Savannah River was opened to traffic. The Middle River bridge replacement is the project's second and final stage.

Trevor Brown, the Program Manager at Georgia DOT, stated, “We’re excited to put the finishing touches on another critical project in the region that enhances safety with modern structures and supports the region economically with reliable infrastructure. We appreciate the coordination with local partners and the community while we worked on these improvements.”

The entire project is set to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2025. For more information, the public can visit the project website at https://0013741-0013742-gdot.hub.arcgis.com/.

Motorists are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to the speed limits in the construction zone.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining Georgia’s state and federal highways. Georgia DOT also engages in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike, and pedestrian programs and assists local governments in maintaining roads. The Department, with nearly 4,000 employees, aims to provide a transportation system that emphasizes innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility, supporting Georgia’s economic competitiveness through transportation leadership.