Overnight and early Friday morning crews were able to remove the GA Hwy 86 Bridge over I-16 completely and began clearing debris from the roadway so that I-16 could be safely reopened to traffic. Both Westbound travel lanes of I-16 are now open to traffic, two days sooner than expected. Crews are working to open Eastbound travel lanes by midnight tonight. Motorists should still anticipate some delays when traveling through this area.
"Georgia DOT engineers and contractors worked expeditiously through the night to safely remove the damaged bridge so that I-16 could be opened back up to traffic days earlier than expected," said Georgia DOT Commissioner Russell R. McMurry, P.E. "My thanks goes out to the GDOT team members and contractors who worked through the night and day today to make this happen. Our sincere gratitude goes to law enforcement, and I’d like thank those communities and individuals who have been impacted by this event for their patience and support."
GA Hwy. 86 remains closed while Georgia DOT continues planning the replacement of the bridge. No timeline for the work has yet been established.