The Georgia Department of Transportation announced Friday plans to reopen a bridge spanning the Middle Oconee River that connects Jackson and Barrow counties.
The bridge was originally built in 1967. The project was completed by the Georgia DOT in coordination with contractor Georgia Bridge and Concrete, LLC, after beginning in October of last year, according to GDOT officials.
The new roadway leading up to the bridge will feature 12-foot lanes with 10-foot outside shoulders. The bridge itself will have two 12-foot lanes with 8-foot shoulders.
The bridge had 11-foot lanes with 2-foot shoulders prior to the improvement project.
SR 82 will once again connect Jackson and Barrow counties, with the bridge set to open Monday morning.
The officially stated completion date for the entire project is Sept. 30. Preliminary engineering on the bridge was estimated to cost just under $1.3 million, according to GDOT filings. The right-of-way construction was estimated at $360,000 while the overall construction costs ran at an estimated $6.5 million. Those estimates were last completed in 2020.
GDOT officials have reminded the public that the area is still considered “an active work zone.” Drivers should be cautious and reduce their speed when navigating the area while the finishing touches are completed.
This bridge improvement project is part of GDOT's vision to “boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation,” according to officials.
