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Bickley residents ask Ware County to consider temporary bridge during Hog Creek repairs
Summary
Two Bickley residents told commissioners a temporary bridge is needed during Hog Creek Bridge repairs to avoid an estimated 27-mile one-way detour and protect emergency response times; county staff and a consultant said permitting and GDOT schedule constraints could limit options.
Jan Outlaw and Judy Lingenfelter appealed to the Ware County Board of Commissioners for a temporary bridge to remain in place while Hog Creek Bridge is repaired, saying the detour would be lengthy and could hinder emergency response.
Outlaw and Lingenfelter said their calculations show a one-way detour of about 27 miles for residents of Bickley if the bridge is closed. They urged the board to find a temporary solution to avoid forcing residents to travel that distance.
County Manager James Shubert said constructing a temporary bridge can take substantial time because of permitting requirements, including wetlands mitigation. Commissioner Barry Cox said the State has taken all actions it will regarding the bridge and that further steps would be the county’s responsibility.
Chris Kingsbury of Atlas Technical Consultants told the board that the Georgia Department of Transportation evaluates temporary-bridge needs in part by population served. He said the Hog Creek repair project is scheduled to be let in November and that installing a temporary bridge could delay that schedule. Kingsbury offered to speak with GDOT regional staff in Jesup the following day and to follow up with the county manager.
Why it matters: Residents and emergency responders could face significantly longer travel times for routine trips and emergencies if no temporary route is provided; county officials cited permitting and state scheduling constraints as practical hurdles.
Next steps: Kingsbury will contact GDOT regional staff and report back to County Manager James Shubert; the item was added to the regular meeting agenda for further consideration.
