Work Begins on New Bridge

Work has begun on a long awaited new bridge across the Ocmulgee River on Hwy. 16 at the Jasper-Butts county line.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) completion date is October 31, 2007 for the $7.5 million bridge to be built just north of the existing span. The new structure will cross the river a short distance north of the present bridge and traffic will continue to use the old one during construction of the new bridge and approaches.

Rogers Bridge Co., Inc., of Atlanta, the low bidder, was awarded the contract following the DOT September contract letting. When the project was first advertised for bids this spring there were no bidders. A second try produced three or four bidders, according to Kraig A. Collins DOT area engineer in Milledgeville.

The new bridge will continue to accommodate only two-lane traffic but will be wider and safer than the existing narrow span. It will include provision for a water line sought by the Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority, Mr. Collins said. The authority is seeking funds to have the pipeline included in the construction project.
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Work also is beginning on several resurfacing projects in Jasper. A $2.5 million project will include 19.7 miles of resurfacing and shoulder reconstruction on Hwy. 142 from Shady Dale east to the intersection on Hwys. 142-16 in Putnam County.

In addition resurfacing is scheduled under the DOT local assistance to roads program (LARP) for several local roads including Kirk Lane, Linda Lane and Norris Drive in the Penora Hills subdivision west of Monticello, Pitts Chapel Road and Martin Road in rural Jasper and Clay Road in Monticello.