Broad Avenue Bridge opening Veterans Day

ALBANY – After nearly seven years since it’s closing, the Broad Avenue Bridge is set for re-open on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, with a ceremony honoring local war veterans.

Formerly referred to as the Broad Avenue Bridge, the structure will now officially be titled Broad Avenue Memorial Bridge to honor Dougherty County veterans.

The original bridge, built in 1920, was shut down in February 2009 after the Georgia Department of Transportation deemed it unfit for travel. Three years later the Veterans Coalition of Southwest Georgia officially decommissioned it and plans began for the construction of a new bridge.

“We are very excited to re-open this iconic bridge to the public,” said Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard. “Through its opening, we are truly bridging the community and showing respect to all of our veterans who have given so much to us. There is only one Albany, and the completion of this project reiterates that.”

The commissioning will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 with veterans as well as local and state officials, marching from the East towards the center of the bridge, where the ceremony will take place. A reception will follow at the Bridge House. The ceremony will be conducted in conjunction with the Albany State University Veterans Day program.