Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is accepting comments up until tomorrow May 28 regarding their proposal for the concrete "Boss" Mull bridge replacement in McCaysville.
Several GDOT representatives were on hand to answer questions and hear feedback for an open house on the project at the First Baptist Church of McCaysville Thursday, May 14.
While currently in the preliminary design phase, they have proposed that during the replacement, commercial, tractor trailers take a detour from Blue Ridge Drive to West Tennessee Avenue to Mobile Road, then Deal Road in Copperhill to Grassy Creek Road and onto Highway 68/Ocoee Street. This results in an additional 7 miles.
Another route would be from Copperhill, down Highway 60 in Georgia, to Lakewood–another 4 miles. Locals are encouraged to follow their own detours.
The detour is expected to be in place for six to 12 months. The bridge will be reopened while the sidewalk and barrier are constructed.
Additionally, pedestrian traffic will be rerouted to the Steel Bridge on Bridge Street in McCaysville to Grande Avenue in Copperhill.
To address concerns with the bridge they have proposed an additional 10 feet in length, an addition of 3 feet to the shoulder, making the width 13.3-feet.
Concerns stem from the bridge’s age and condition “due to the bridge currently being load posted.”
If those concerns are not addressed, GDOT says the bridge will stay posted, preventing large trucks from traveling across it and its condition will continue to deteriorate, creating hazard.
Anyone who'd like to submit a comment can do so by visiting www.dot.ga.gov/GDOT/Pages/PublicOutreach.aspx. Comments will be responded to by June 23.
Those with additional questions may contact Project Manager Timothy Evans at 404-219-8600 or Environmental Analyst Amanda von Oldenburg at 678-247-2472.
