State transportation officials are advancing plans for a new bridge on Highway 144 in Richmond Hill, saying worsening erosion along the Ogeechee River could eventually threaten access to Fort McAllister State Park and surrounding communities.
The bridge is currently in the design phase, according to a Georgia DOT spokesperson. The narrow, two-lane stretch of State Route 144 West sits atop an embankment and serves as the primary route to Fort McAllister State Park, nearby neighborhoods and Fish Tales, a popular waterfront restaurant.
Georgia DOT says severe erosion, caused by the flow of the Ogeechee River, has advanced to several feet from the roadway. While crews have added riprap to help protect the embankment, officials say the materials continue
to wash away, making the bridge a more permanent solution. Without additional measures, the erosion could eventually damage the roadway and disrupt access to the area.
Georgia DOT recently released public feedback from a survey for the proposed $27 million infrastructure project with most showing support. The comment period ran from Feb. 13-March 26.
Thirty-seven people attended the open house. Of those, 26 showed some form of support for the project. Six were opposed and five remained undecided.
While one commenter questioned whether the bridge was necessary, transportation officials cited safety issues and warned that continued erosion could eventually cut off access to portions of the community.
"The ongoing erosion problem would eventually compromise the existing roadway bed, cutting off access to theeastern side of SR 144 Spur/Fort McAllister State Park and can be best resolved by a bridge structure," reads the response letter. "A bridge can offer a long-term solution without the high maintenance requirements of maintaining riprap revetment (a layer of angular stones used to defend against erosion) along the bank."
Gerogia DOT officials also said some docks and dock structures would need to be removed to accommodate construction of the bridge.
"The docks that are impacted by the seawall could not remain during construction," says GDOT staff. "Georgia DOTright-of-way representatives would contact individual property owners to negotiate the removal and cost-to-cure measures. Property owners would need to reapply for permits to reconstruct the docks if they choose to do so."
Some residents expressed concern that the bridge could alter views along the scenic corridor leading to Fort McAllister State Park. Georgia DOT officials said the design is intended to minimize visual impacts.
"The bridge is proposed to rise to a peak of approximately 16 feet above the existing roadbed to facilitateproper drainage and minimize impacts to adjacent properties," says the letter.
Latrice Williams is a general assignment reporter covering Bryan and Effingham County. She can be reached at lwilliams6@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: A new connection: GDOT analyzing plans to build bridge in Richmond Hill
