Macon-Bibb leaders aim to finish Mercer University Drive bridge by summer 2016

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Macon-Bibb County commissioners are approving a contract for a construction manager to begin work on a new pedestrian bridge. 

Leaders say the structure will connect Mercer’s campus to new student housing, and the bridge will serve as a “welcome mat” for visitors into downtown Macon. 

Progress…even on a gloomy Tuesday afternoon, it’s happening at a quick pace.

Construction crews are putting in the ground work for new loft developments for students at Mercer University. 

“A lot of what we do, we’re mindful of the impact on Macon,” James Netherton, the executive vice president for administration and finance for Mercer University, said. 

Netherton says the new vision for the east side of Macon will benefit both the university and the community. 

“Mercer University Drive’s entrance has evolved into our main entrance. Having Lofts 5 and the hotel and the restaurant and the food court, that’s going to really dress up the curb appeal,” he said. 

As crews are working on the new developments on Mercer University Drive, the bridge will connect one side of the road to Mercer University’s campus. 

“One of the requirements was to have that bridge so the commission agreed to float approximately $3 million in tax allocation district bonds in order to construct that bridge,” Chris Floore, the assistant to the Macon-Bibb county manager, said. 

Developers recommended the bridge so students can cross the busy four lane road safely. 

“Funds are not coming out of our general funds. It’s not coming from the SPLOST. It’s actually a revenue source that we set up several years ago along the corridor to fund these types of infrastructure projects,” Floore said. 

The bridge is part of the up and coming second street corridor improvement project Macon-Bibb Mayor Robert Reichert is pushing. 

The goal is for the bridge to attract visitors not only to the school, but downtown. 

“Hopefully, it’ll be very beautiful, very iconic, and be sort of an announcing the arrival into a special place….Macon, Georgia,” Netherton said. 

The plan is to have the loft developments on Mercer University Drive finished by the summer of next year. City officials are aiming at having the bridge completed around the same time.