Did you know that the original Satilla River Bridge on US 84 was built in 1923, more than 100 years ago? Some Ware and Pierce County residents may remember that it was later widened in 1982, 43 years ago. With modern vehicles getting larger and modern drivers going faster, it was definitely time to upgrade the structure. Today, a year and 3 months after construction started on this project, contractors are half done and a bit ahead of schedule, which is cause for celebration. Let's take a look at what's happening at the site today, and note what benchmarks are just ahead.
The new bridges' future westbound sides are mostly complete, with only striping, approaches and other related tasks remaining. The approaches on the west end and between the two new structures have been layered with both concrete and asphalt for durability.
The new bridges' future westbound sides are mostly complete, with only striping, approaches and other related tasks remaining. The approaches on the west end and between the two new structures have been layered with both concrete and asphalt for durability.
The approach on the east end is currently under construction, with a crew building the wooden forms that will later shape and set the lower concrete layer.
While some crews are finishing the bridges' approaches, other teams are completing work on erosion control measures and drainage systems. The project's designers and engineers have made sure that any water on these bridges will not only run off quickly, but it will run off in a direction and manner that doesn't allow water to collect and weaken the structures over time or to erode of the Satilla River's hillsides. Those huge rocks on the slope and even the new grass that has been laid are also erosion control measures as well as features that make the area more attractive.
In the next couple of months, the approaches and drainage systems will be completed and the future westbound side will be striped for single-lane-each-way traffic. Contractors expect to move all traffic to the new bridges in November, and by the start of 2026 they should be taking down the remaining old side and starting construction on the future eastbound side. As the construction schedule timed the entire project to be finished in four years, we're still looking at both sides of the new bridges being opened to traffic in 2028. Hopefully, the contractors will be able to keep up their good pace, and drivers can help them out by remembering to drive alert through the work zone, slowing their speeds and being mindful of the crews and other drivers.