GDOT road signs in Dawson County warning of a bridge being repaired in Gilmer County has caused residents and visitors some confusion.

Theyve got the signs up 25 miles from where the repair is, Dawson County resident Barbara Roberts said. And people at the Y (intersection of Highways 183 and 53) are slowing down and confused, and Ive seen some accidents almost happen.

The two-lane bridge is located on SR 136, across Burnt Mountain, in Gilmer County.

Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation said it is necessary to have signage at the intersection because drivers have to make a decision to take a different route.

The sign at SR 53 and SR 183 alerts motorists that the bridge is closed and gives the detour route because that is the decision point to go an alternate route while the bridge is closed, GDOT Communications Officer Teri Pope said.

The bridge was closed approximately 45 days ago when the road began to separate from the bridge.

There was never any danger of the bridge collapsing, GDOT engineer Andy Doyle said. The road could have dropped away from the bridge, but the bridge itself would not have collapsed. Over a period of time, a stream eroded the pile under an abutment on the bridge, which was our concern.

GDOT divers discovered the problem and the bridge was immediately closed, Doyle said.

Visitors and residents traveling to the Atlanta Motorsports Park, Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Big Canoe, and Gibbs Gardens are not affected.

The bridge has light to moderate traffic with approximately 3,000 vehicles per day, according to Doyle.

Concrete has been poured, and we are waiting for it to cure before re-opening, which should be in 7 to 10 days, he said.