Replacing the Yellow River bridge on State Route (SR) 36 requires a one-year detour beginning Tuesday, March 7. Traffic will use SR 162 and SR 212 as the signed, off-site detour. Local traffic will be allowed along SR 36 up to the bridge construction zone.

E.R. Snell Contractor, Inc. has the nearly $8 million contract to build a new bridge and approaches over the Yellow River 10 miles south of Covington. Funds for this project come from bridge bonds authorized by the Georgia Legislature. The official contract completion date is May 31, 2018.

This project proposes to replace the existing 520-foot-by-30-foot bridge with a 550-foot-by-43-foot bridge. The typical section of the roadway approaches will be two, 12-foot lanes with 10-foot wide shoulders. The project length is approximately one-half mile.

Whenever you approach a work zone: slow down; allow extra distance between vehicles; read signs; obey road crew flaggers; and expect the unexpected.

Citizens should monitor 511ga.org or download the App to stay current on all upcoming roadwork and projects. Georgia DOT East on Facebook and @GDOTEastTraffic on Twitter also provide daily updates.