A new bridge to complement the existing bridge on US Highway 280 over Lake Blackshear is presently under construction by the Scott Bridge Company of Opelika, Alabama. It’s slated for completion in 2019.
Tag Archives: South Georgia Engineering
Abandoned Wooden Bridge, Screven County
Near the ghost town of Ogeechee on the Ogeechee River this wooden bridge still stands alongside a newer bridge, built in 1970. I imagine it was a scary trip on the Old Ogeechee Road back in the day, especially during flood stage.
Filed under --SCREVEN COUNTY GA--, Ogeechee GA
Lake Blackshear Dam, 1930, Warwick
Also known as the Warwick Dam, the larger complex known as Plant Crisp was devised in 1925 as a way for Crisp County to generate its own electrical power. It’s unique in that it was the first county-owned, -constructed and -operated power dam in the United States. The reservoir it created became known as Lake Blackshear in honor of David Blackshear, the commander of nearby Fort Early. I’m amazed by the fact that Crisp County had the foresight to be power independent long before most communities had any such ideas. It has also served the area well as a recreation hub for the better part of a century.
Filed under --WORTH COUNTY GA--, Warwick GA
Old Hoggard Mill Bridge, Baker County
I can’t locate anything about the history of this bridge, but it provides one of the most scenic views in all of South Georgia. Kyle West writes: I worked out there for about 8 years. In fact, I installed the lights on the bridge for the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay. The story of the bridge as was told to me was that it was the original Highway 91 bridge and when the state moved the highway to the present location they were going to demo and Mr. Woodruff bought it from the state to keep them from doing away with it.
The girder style construction is a bit complex for a dirt road and the view as you near the end of the bridge is of the iconic Ichauway Store.
Filed under --BAKER COUNTY GA--, Hoggard Mill GA
Vertical-Lift Bridge, 1969, Omaha
Built by Seaboard Air Line, this bridge has been abandoned for years. It’s located between Omaha, Georgia, and Cottonton, Alabama, and is visible from the Georgia Highway 39 Spur. Jackie Purdy writes that there is another vertical-lift bridge operated by CSX on the Savannah River.
Filed under --STEWART COUNTY GA--, Omaha GA
