🚧 Project Purpose
The existing bridge on State Route 85 over the CSX railroad in Meriwether County is in substandard condition—its load‑carrying capacity and structural standards no longer meet current safety or design requirements. The project aims to completely replace this bridge to ensure continued safety and efficiency (sr-85-bridge-replacement-0017937-gdot.hub.arcgis.com).
Project Scope & Components
- Full Bridge Replacement: Removal of the old, inadequate structure and construction of a new bridge designed to meet modern load and structural standards.
- Alignment & Safety Upgrades: Likely improvements include modern geometry, guardrails, and pavement conditions to meet current geometric design criteria.
Project Location
- Route: State Route 85 (SR 85)
- Crossing: Over the CSX Railroad
- County: Meriwether County, Georgia
Why This Matters
- Enhances public safety for motorists by ensuring a structurally sound crossing.
- Improves transportation efficiency by bringing the bridge up to current design standards.
- Supports freight and rail operations, maintaining safe separation between highway and railroad traffic.
Next Steps & Stakeholders
Typically, projects like this undergo phases such as:
- Design and environmental review – ensuring compliance with federal/state standards.
- Right‑of‑way acquisition – if additional land is needed.
- Construction – demolition of the old bridge and installation of the new one.
Georgia DOT (GDOT) oversees the project, coordinating with the CSX Railroad, local officials, and regional stakeholders.
Estimated Timeline & Funding
The project page doesn’t yet list specific dates, funding sources, or estimated completion. GDOT’s Hub pages are frequently updated with phase schedules and costs, so check back for updates.
What to Watch For
- Traffic Impacts: Detours or lane closures during construction.
- Local Notifications: GDOT should provide alerts, public meetings, or online updates.
- Completion Goals: Once finalized, the new bridge will modernize a key crossing on SR 85.
If you’d like, I can check GDOT’s site for progress updates, timelines, or engineering plans—just let me know!