Bridge down to one lane until April 30

In a statement, GA DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith, explained: “The temporary signal will operate almost as a person flagging traffic around the clock until the work is completed. Only one direction of traffic can cross the bridge at a time. When the signal is green, that direction of traffic can cross the bridge, opposing traffic will be held stopped by the signal’s red ball. Just do what the signal directs you to do and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.”

The existing concrete driving surface or bridge deck will be removed by hydroblasting, then a new concrete driving surface will be poured. The contractor will work around the clock on the project in one lane at a time, according to the press release. As one lane is finished, traffic will be shifted to use that lane while work occurs in the other lane. The contract mandates the bridge must have both lanes reopened for use 21 days after one lane is closed. The work will conclude by April 30 at the latest.

“We can keep the bridge open to traffic by having the traffic signal direct traffic across the bridge. The capacity of Winder Highway will be reduced to one lane at the bridge so there will be delays in the area. Please slow down in the area and use additional caution as the work occurs. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will conclude the work and open both lanes of the bridge as quickly as possible,” said Smith.

This bridge is one of three included in a $1.9 contract awarded to Comanche Construction of Marietta. The State Route 53 Bridge over Amicalola Creek in Dawson County and SR 246 Bridge over the Little Tennessee River in Rabun County are also a part of this contract. The contract completion date for all three bridges is of September 30, 2012.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

For information on the Department of Transportation, visit (www.dot.ga.gov); or follow Georgia DOT on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GeorgiaDOT) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/gadeptoftrans).