Bridge Replacements along SR 26 at the Ocmulgee River

The project area is located in Pulaski County on SR 26 at the Ocmulgee River, east of Hawkinsville. The proposed project consists of the reconstruction of the eastbound and westbound bridge structures over the Ocmulgee River to replace the structurally deficient bridges. The project begins at MP 8.55 and ends at MP 9.16 and is approximately 0.61 mile in length. The existing typical section on the bridges consist of two 12' lanes and 2' gutters with a 2' sidewalk on left side and a 5' sidewalk on right side. Existing ROW for both bridges varies between 60 feet and 200 feet. The east bound (EB) Bridge (Structure ID 235-0008-0) was built in 1959 and consists of a 23 steel beam spans (span lengths of 40' -0", 81'-6" and 100' -0'). The substructure consists of a concrete cap on concrete columns with spread footings (5 bents), also concrete cap on steel piles {17 bents). The bridge has a carrying capacity of less than HS-20, does not currently require posting and has a Sufficiency Rating of 47 .90. The west bound (WB) Bridge (Structure ID 235-0009-0) was built in 1959 and consists of a 21 steel beam spans (span lengths of 40'-0", 80'-6" and 100'-0'). The substructure consists of a concrete cap on concrete columns with spread footings (7 bents), also concrete cap on steel piles (13 bents). The bridge has a carrying capacity of HS-20, and has a Sufficiency Rating of 61.42. Two alternatives, in addition to the no-build alternative, are under consideration: Alternative 1: This alternate proposes to reconstruct the structurally deficient east and west bound bridge structures in the location of the existing east bound (EB) bridge. The proposed bridge would consist of four 12' lanes, two 5.5' sidewalks with 2' gutters, in order to accommodate the east and west bound traffic. The eastbound traffic would remain on the existing EB bridge during construction of the northern half of the proposed bridge and then shifted onto the new structure during the demolition of the existing EB Bridge and the construction of the southern half of the proposed bridge. Upon completion of the new structure, all traffic would be shifted to the new bridge and the existing WB bridge would be demolished and taken off system. Alternative 2: This alternate proposes to reconstruct the structurally deficient east and west bound {WB) bridge structures in their respective existing location. The proposed bridges would consist of two 12' lanes, one 5.5' sidewalk each with a 2' gutter and a 4' inside shoulder. The new WB bridge would be constructed while traffic is maintained on the existing EB bridge as a contraflow detour. The traffic would be switched to the new WB bridge as a contra-flow detour during the construction of the new EB bridge. Proposed ROW for each alternative varies from 0-60-ft and is all located on the western side of the river and only along the EB bridge.