A new bridge could be coming on Tumbling Creek Road in Gainesville, a project that could provide a potential solution to the closure of the railroad crossing at Tumbling Circle in 2014.
Gainesville is requesting $200,000 for the project, said David Dockery, public works director. Oakwood will contribute $50,000, according to Stan Brown, city manager.
"Right now, Tumbling Creek Road makes a sharp right turn and dead-ends at the railroad track. This bridge project will allow Tumbling Creek Road to continue straight to its intersection with Old Oakwood Road. There would no longer be the 90-degree turn like there is now," said Dockery.
Hall County would be the lead agency on the project, which would allow for easier access between Atlanta Highway, Old Oakwood Road and McEver Road.
"As I understand it, there's a significant amount of state funding that's available for this project," said Dockery.
The bridge would also lower emergency response times, according to documents presented to city council members at Tuesday morning's council work session.
Hall County engineers said in 2014 that approximately 400 cars used the old railroad crossing per day.
