Construction of temporary repairs to the bridge on Fowler Mill Road over Little Bear Creek are expected to begin the week of January 9, 2023. The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) has contracted with E. R. Snell to complete the repairs, which include removing and replacing the existing bridge deck and asphalt.  

Once completed, the temporary repairs will allow through access over the bridge for local traffic with reduced speeds and posted weight limits. A permanent full replacement and reconstruction of the bridge is planned to take place in the next several years. 

It is estimated that the bridge will re-open to through traffic by late March. 

An inspection of the Fowler Mill Road bridge by the ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Department and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) in April 2021 determined that the bridge deck is rusted and unsafe for vehicle travel. In the interest of health and public safety, Fowler Mill Road was closed from Bob Wages Road to Pinenut Lane. A detour was set up for the area to route through traffic to Atlanta Highway and Cleveland Road. 

ACCGov has entered into an agreement with GDOT for the permanent replacement of the bridge, with ACCGov funding the design, right-of way acquisition, and utility relocation costs associated with the project. GDOT will fund the construction phase, which is estimated to occur in 2024-2025. Engineering and design of the permanent replacement is currently underway and will include bike and pedestrian elements. 

For more information, contact the ACCGov Transportation and Public Works Department at 706-613-3440.