DAWSONVILLE Georgia DOT announces that the State Route 53/Jasper Highway bridge over Amicalola Creek west of Tinsley Chapel Road will be reduced to one lane from July 30 through August 13 for reconstruction.
A temporary traffic signal will be operational beginning July 30 to direct traffic across the bridge. Signs are now posted warning of the upcoming work.
Once work begins, the temporary signal will operate almost as a person flagging traffic around-the-clock until the work is completed," Georgia DOT District Engineer Bayne Smith said. "Only one direction of traffic can cross the bridge at a time. When the signal is green, that direction of traffic can cross the bridge, opposing traffic will be held stopped by the signal s red ball. Just do what the signal directs you to do.
The existing concrete driving surface or bridge deck will be removed by hydro-blasting then a new concrete driving surface will be poured. The contractor will work 24 hours-a-day in one lane at a time. As one lane is finished, traffic will be shifted to use that lane while work occurs in the other lane. The contract mandates the bridge must have both lanes reopened for use 14 days after one lane is closed. The work will conclude by August 13 at the latest.
We can keep the bridge open to traffic by having the traffic signal direct traffic across the bridge," Smith added. "The capacity of State Route 53 Highway will be reduced to one lane at the bridge so there will be delays in the area. Please slow down in the area and use additional caution as the work occurs.
This bridge is one of three included in a $1.9 contract awarded to Comanche Construction of Marietta. The State Route 11 Bridge over the Middle Oconee River in Jackson County and SR 246 Bridge over the Little Tennessee River in Rabun County are also a part of this contract. The contract completion date for all three bridges is of September 30, 2012.
