The proposed project would replace the existing 170 ft. x 26 ft. (l x w), five-span bridge over Big Slough along SR 97, approximately 3.2 miles northeast of Bainbridge, in Decatur County, Georgia. The bridge (Structure ID 087-0025-0) along SR 97 over Big Slough was built in 1950 and consists of five spans of Reinforced Concrete Deck Girders (RCDG) on a concrete substructure. The bridge is currently posted from 21 to 40 tons and has a Sufficiency Rating of 39.89. The deck exhibits moderate scaling with exposed aggregate. The existing bridge is 170 ft. x 26 ft. and has 2-12 ft. lanes. The superstructure exhibits numerous RCDG's with shear cracks and all beams exhibit deflections cracks. Replacement of this functionally obsolete bridge is recommended. (The existing ROW width is 100 feet.) The construction would begin at mile post 26.07 and end at mile post 26.52, resulting in a total project length of 0.45 miles. The typical section would consist of one, 12-foot travel lane in each direction with 8-foot shoulders (2-feet paved, 6-feet grassed). The project would provide a modern and safe roadway bridge structure for the traveling public while at same time eliminating long-term maintenance costs. The replacement bridge will be constructed on new alignment west of the existing structure. Realignment to the west (versus the east) of the existing structure would eliminate the need to relocate an existing Colonial Gas pipeline. The proposed project is anticipated to expand the current ROW width by approximately 100 feet.
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