Mayor Harry G. Bone Bridge reconstruction frustrates Milledgeville drivers

GDOT says the nearly 80-year-old bridge did not meet safety standards and is being fully rebuilt in a $20 million project.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The Mayor Harry G. Bone Bridge in Milledgeville has been under construction since last May, frustrating drivers and businesses.

The Georgia Department of Transportation says the original bridge, built nearly 80 years ago, was torn down because it no longer met current safety standards.

Will Volk, District 2 Communications Officer for the Georgia Department of Transportation, says the project is a complete rebuild.

“It’s a total reconstruction,” he said. “The bridge that used to be here was built in 1949. It was substandard, and it just needed to be replaced, so they tore that bridge down completely and they’re building a new bridge, completely new up to standards.”

According to GDOT, the decision to rebuild instead of repair was the most cost-effective option, totaling about $20 million.

Officials say the project has taken longer than anticipated because of winter weather and contractor scheduling.

The new bridge will be raised 10 feet higher than the previous one to help with potential flooding concerns.

“This is something we see, bridges all across the state of Georgia,” Volk said. “You have a bridge that gets that old, I mean what was it about 75 years old? Whenever you have a bridge that gets to that age, it probably needs to be replaced, or at the very least a lot of rehabilitation work needs to be done on it, and this was the most cost effective option.”

The closure has been difficult for drivers. Resident Denise Woodard has lived in Milledgeville for 69 years. She says the detour route, Wayne Street, has been difficult and frustrating.

“The road is so torn up, everybody coming through that area to get on this road. That’s the difficult part. The road is so raggedy. Nobody fixed it before they started repairs. They should have fixed that area knowing you had to come through.”

GDOT estimates the bridge could reopen by mid to late spring.