Demorest bridge installation delayed

DEMOREST - Pedestrians will have to wait a little bit longer before they can cross over a bridge connecting downtown Demorest to Piedmont College.

The manufacturer of the pedestrian bridge notified officials that the pre-fabricated spans will not be shipped and installed Thursday evening as planned due to a problem with the product's paint.

The City of Demorest and the Georgia Department of Transportation had planned to close a portion of Highway 441 during installation.

The manufacturer did indicate that the bridge will be shipped and installed at a later date.

Once the bridge is shipped, two cranes will lift three custom-fabricated spans and place them on the concrete support columns. Constructed in three sections of 11, 67 and 87 feet, the sections will be welded into a continuous span once installed, providing a safe pedestrian passage between downtown Demorest and the Piedmont College campus.