Plan to lift Talmadge Bridge is moving forward. Officials want to know what you think

Lisa Wilson
·2 min read
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Work to increase the height of the Talmadge Memorial Bridge could start as early as next year, but first Georgia highway officials are asking the public for feedback on their plan.

The proposed project includes replacing the bridge’s cables, bridge bearings and joints for maintenance reasons. In addition, the cables would be shortened to create a taller clearance for ships going to and from the Port of Savannah.

If all goes as expected, officials say the bridge would remain open while the work is done. Lane closures in both directions are anticipated.

“Obviously, safety is the focus,” said Kyle Collins, a communications and marketing strategist for the Georgia Department of Transportation. He explained that similar bridge maintenance projects have been undertaken in Mississippi and Ohio without long-term bridge closures.

Collins said officials have not determined how high the bridge would be raised. That figure would be established as part of later engineering work.

The four-lane cable-stayed bridge, which was first opened in November 1990, has 185 feet of clearance space for ships at mean high water. As a comparison, the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge that connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant, offers 186 feet of clearance space.

Average daily traffic is more than 20,000 vehicles, according to the transportation department.

The Port of Savannah is the fourth-busiest port in the United States, following Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; and Long Beach, California. It also is the nation’s fastest growing port.

Public comments are being accepted until July 27 on the work, known as the US 17/SR 404 Spur Bridge Major Maintenance Project. Comments will be part of the National Environmental Policy Act environmental document being prepared for the project.

Georgia DOT will respond to comments and publish a Comment Response Letter to the project web page approximately 30-45 days later.

The project is expected to be awarded to a construction contractor in late 2023 and construction could begin in 2024.

Those wanting to comment may complete an online form, or write the Georgia Department of Transportation, Attention: Eric Duff, state environmental administrator, 600 W. Peachtree St. NE, 16th Floor, Atlanta GA 30308.