The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government’s Transportation and Public Works Department is asking residents to provide feedback on a study focused on five bridges in Athens-Clarke County that have been identified as structurally deficient. The public can participate by completing an online survey, which is available until Sunday, November 23, at www.accgov.com/bridgestudy. The website also provides maps of the bridges and a timeline for the study.
The department received a federal grant through the Bridge Investment Program, in partnership with the Georgia Department of Transportation, to conduct planning and feasibility studies for bridges considered to be in poor condition. Out of 44 locally owned bridges, five were chosen based on their urgent structural needs and their importance for mobility and pedestrian connectivity.
The selected bridges are:
– College Avenue at the North Oconee River
– Mitchell Bridge Road at the Middle Oconee River
– North Avenue at the North Oconee River
– Vine Street at Trail Creek
– Whitehall Road at the North Oconee River
According to officials, “The purpose of the study is to assess and evaluate these five bridges for replacement and / or rehabilitation. Each of the individual bridges and surrounding sites will be screened to identify the highest need for replacement and the highest benefit-cost ratio.”
The final product of this effort will be a Bridge Planning and Feasibility Report. This report will help set priorities for maintaining or replacing these structures and may support future applications for additional construction funding.
For more information or to complete the survey by November 23, residents can visit www.accgov.com/bridgestudy or call 706-613-3440.
