The Georgia Department of Transportation announced on Thursday that the Ga. 53 westbound bridge is open. This bridge is over Lake Lanier and will replace an existing 66-year-old, two-lane bridge.
The GDOT said in a press release that traffic will shift to the new westbound bridge by Friday. Demolition for the former two-lane bridge will begin in late May and is expected to be completed by the third quarter.
The GDOT made the decision to replace the two-lane bridge after it underwent extensive repair work in 2016. Reconstruction of the new bridge cost $23.5 million.
Motorists should expect minor traffic impacts as construction workers place asphalt on the bridge approach slab and complete final roadway striping.
The project broke ground in July 2020 and the GDOT used the Design-Build method to accelerate construction.
“In less than two years, Georgia DOT constructed and opened the new State Route 53 westbound bridge over Lake Lanier and we’re excited to celebrate its opening,” Kathe Ahmed said, Georgia DOT P3 project manager. “Utilizing the DB delivery method, the Department and its construction partners were able to deliver the bridge with minimal impacts to motorists and just in time for the busy summer months.”
