FDOT officials begin replacing two wooden bridges in Jackson and Holmes County

GRACEVILLE, Fla. ( WMBB ) — Florida Department of Transportation officials are replacing two wooden bridges, one in Jackson County, and the other in Holmes County.

Road crews began construction this week on a new bridge on Woodham Road that will stretch across Holmes Creek. It will replace two shorter, wooden bridges on either side of the county line.

“We are taking down and replacing this is part of what we call off system bridges, which are usually small bridges on county or city roadways. But the state owns and maintains it, so we will take down the two bridges. Together and build one nice concrete structure out there,” said FDOT Public Information Specialist Kohen Johns Brannon.

The 40-foot Jackson County bridge was built in 1994. The 25-foot Holmes County bridge was built in 1976.

During a routine check-up, FDOT rated the Holmes County Bridge as structurally deficient.

To safely replace the Holmes County Bridge, they have to also replace the Jackson County Bridge.

“The whole concrete structure is going to be 1520, that’s the work zone. But the new bridge is going to be about 130 feet,” Johns Brannon said.

The new continuous concrete bridge will also be wider, with two 10-foot travel lanes with 2-foot shoulders on either side.

There will also be some additional upgrades.

“We’re going to do some minor drainage upgrades, some minor signage upgrades pavement marking, stuff like that, and paving the approach slabs on both ends it’s going to be about $3.5 million,” Johns Brannon said.

The project is being funded by federal bridge funds.

“Wooden bridges are just as important and we are getting to a lot of them right now so hopefully we’ll get them all knocked out pretty soon. We want everybody to be as safe as possible,” Johns Brannon said.

Officials anticipate the project to be complete next summer.

Woodham Road is closed as workers build the new bridge.

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