Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge contract approved, new structure slated for late 2026 completion

ALBANY – What went up is coming down. It’s not a secret that the Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge is slated for demolition and replacement, but now that the state has approved a contract for the work the when is becoming a little clearer.

That suspense will last a little longer, however, as the date demolition begins to make way for the new structure is still unknown.

What is known is that it will be a massive pain in the … neck.

The contract to replace the Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge over the Flint River is one of 23 approved this month by the Georgia Department of Transportation for projects across the state.

The company was awarded to Southern Concrete Construction Co. of Albany in the amount of $32.94 million. The projected completion date is Nov. 30, 2026.

What’s not yet known is when the bridge will be closed to allow for tearing down the 71-year-old concrete and steel structure.

When that happens, there will be a great “disruption” for drivers used to crossing the Flint via Oglethorpe Boulevard, Albany City Manager Terrell Jacobs said.

“There will be a rerouting plan, which is already in place,” he said.

Still, the amount of pain will be felt by many. That list includes commuters coming to and departing jobs in the downtown area, including government workers at the Government Center and other buildings, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital employees and others.

The bridge ferries about 20,000 cars daily between the west side and east Albany. Drivers also cross to reach Albany State University’s East campus and to shop on both sides of the river.

Completed in 1953 during the presidential administration of Dwight D. Eisenhower, the bridge caught the eye of the DOT during a periodic inspection.

In the most recent rating of the bridge prior to the decision to do the replacement it got a grade of “fair condition,” but is in danger of scouring due to an unknown foundation, according to the agency.

Scouring is an engineering term meaning the erosion of soil surrounding a bridge foundation. It occurs where fast-moving water removes sediment from around the bridge foundation. That process can eventually compromise the integrity of the structure.

The aging structure also does not meet current design standards, and the replacement is planned to increase pedestrian and cycling connectivity across the river, according to the DOT.

The city has experience of having an artery across the river closed to traffic. The Broad Avenue Bridge located one block north of Oglethorpe Boulevard was taken down in 2013 after an inspection determined the structure was in critical condition. The replacement Broad Avenue bridge opened in November 2015.

Still, the inconvenience from having the two-lane structure with a much smaller traffic count will pale in comparison to the busy four lanes to the south of Broad Avenue.

Given the choice, instead of leaving half of the existing bridge intact and open to traffic while work is under way, the city has recommended a “rip-off-the-bandage” approach.

While that would completely eliminate use of Oglethorpe Boulevard to cross the river, it would cut down on construction time. Leaving half of the old bridge open while work is ongoing would extend the length of construction, according to Albany Assistant City Manager Bruce Maples.

The thinking was that although it is less convenient the bridge will be back in service more quickly.

“We really want our citizens to appreciate that it is a very aged bridge that is due to be replaced,” Albany Mayor Bo Dorough said. “This is a state project. We’ve got to be in line with the state to get a better bridge structure.”

The city has not been given a definite start date for when the bridge comes down, Dorough said. He expects the bridge will be some time in early 2025.

The city will be responsible for moving water, gas and wastewater lines, the mayor said. Those items should be approved at an Albany City Commission line later this month.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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