Beginning on March 22, the State Route (SR) 183 bridge over Cochran Creek in Dawson County will close for 120 days to allow for the installation of a new bridge. 

According to a press release by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the project will replace the SR 183 bridge over Cochran Creek, which is located six miles northwest of Dawsonville. 

“The new bridge will be constructed on the existing horizontal and vertical alignment which requires the road to be closed for a period of time to demolish the old bridge and install a new one,” the release said. 

An offsite detour will be used to divert traffic around the bridge using SR 136 and Keith Evans Road, the release said. The detour will last from March 22 to July 20, although dates may be subject to change depending on weather. 

The new bridge section consists of two 12-foot lanes with a 10-foot rural shoulder (4-foot paved) along the roadway and six-foot along the bridge. The approximate project length is 0.4 miles. 

Project dates may change due to weather or other factors, the release added, so motorists are advised to expect delays, exercise caution and reduce their speed while traveling through work zones. To get real-time information on work status and traffic conditions, call 511, go to 511ga.org or download the Georgia 511 app.