GDOT reports major milestone in Clarks Bridge construction

GAINESVILLE - Since the weather was cooperating Monday, Georgia Department of Transportation crews took the opportunity to make some major progress on the new bridge on Clarks Bridge Road (SR 284) over Lake Lanier.

In a press statement, GDOT officials said crews poured the first of 12 concrete caissons to support the new bridge.

"The first caisson was drilled to a depth of 103.88 feet when it reached bedrock. Yesterday, 108 cubic yards of concrete was poured into the five-and-a-half feet diameter steel liner for vertical bridge support. Today the crew is moving the barge into position to begin drilling for the parallel caisson this week," said Harold Mull, Georgia DOT District Construction Engineer.

The $8.7 million construction project involves the construction of a new bridge for SR 284 over the Chattahoochee River portion of Lake Lanier at the Lake Lanier Olympic Center. The new bridge will have lanes that are 12-feet wide and and bike-able shoulder in each direction that will be eight-feet wide.

The project also provides for a new pedestrian tunnel under SR 284. The project completion date is December 31, 2015.

The existing bridge was built in 1958 and does not meet current design standard, according to DOT.

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