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DOT Reschedules I-75 Exit 11 Bridge Removal to Wednesday, October 2

By Carol A. Gasser Moore

 

Valdosta, LOWNDES COUNTY, Georgia – The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) has announced that the Exit 11 bridge span removal over I-75 North has been rescheduled.  Exit 11 is the I-75 Exit for State Route 11, Madison Highway in Lowndes County.  Wednesday, October 2 is the new date for the work which will begin at 9 p.m.

 

This news comes as part of the expected inclement weather which has many events or regular activities rapidly being changed.  Anyone who has an area activity scheduled in Lowndes County or in neighboring counties should check before going to the scheduled event.

 

The GDOT plans to remove the remaining Interstate-75 North bridge span at Exit 11.  It was originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 25, but with the anticipated arrival of inclement weather with Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene has prompted schedule changes and made it impractical to remove the remainder of the bridge span this week.

 

On Tuesday, September 24 a GDOT contractor removed the bridge span over I-75 southbound lanes during the night.  The remainder of the removal is now set for next week.

 

According to GDOT, the original interchange consisted of twin bridges which were built in 1961. The northernmost bridge was removed in 2022 to clear the way for construction of a new bridge that recently opened to traffic. Still to come is construction of roundabouts at the ramps. Reconstruction of the interchange to improve operation and enhance safety is currently expected to be complete in late spring of 2025. It is a $37 million blended federal, state and Transportation Investment Act (TIA) funded project.

 

What: Due to expected inclement weather, removal of the bridge span over Interstate 75 North at Exit 11 has been postponed until next week. A contractor removed the bridge span over I-75 southbound lanes overnight Tuesday, Sept. 24, and had originally planned to remove the span over northbound lanes tonight. The original interchange consisted of twin bridges that were built in 1961. The northernmost one was removed in 2022 to clear the way for construction of a new bridge that recently opened to traffic. Still to come is construction of roundabouts at the ramps. Reconstruction of the interchange to improve operation and enhance safety is currently expected to be complete in late spring of 2025. It is a $37 million blended federal, state and Transportation Investment Act (TIA) funded project.

 

The balance of the bridge removal is set to begin at 9 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2.  It is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. the following day (Thursday, October 3).  During the removal, I-75 northbound traffic will be reduced to one right lane.  Motorists will use the Exit 11 ramps to exit and re-enter Interstate 75. Deputies will direct traffic at the top of the ramps.

 

Please be aware that this schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions.

 

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