Sope Creek Bridge Project Nears

Preparations continue this week for the replacement of the Sope Creek Bridge on Paper Mill Road.

Starting next Tuesday, May 28, East Cobb motorists will not be able to use that portion of the road for around four months, including the start of the 2013-14 school year.

The $1.4 million project will include a complete replacement of the aging bridge and the construction of a six-foot-wide sidewalk on the south side of Paper Mill Road for access to National Park Service trails.

This week utility work continues on Paper Mill Road near the bridge. Occasional lane closures will be in effect from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.

When Paper Mill is closed during the bridge construction period, detours will be on Johnson Ferry Road to the east and Terrell Mill Road to the west. Signs also will be posted in the area to direct motorists to the detour routes.

At a town hall meeting in East Cobb earlier this month, District 2 Cobb Commissioner Bob Ott told citizens the bridge replacement work would continue each day until 11 p.m. He said it's part of a "cost plus" contract, an incentive to complete the project as soon as possible.

Here's a summary of other road work going on in East Cobb this week, provided by Ott's office:

Lower Roswell Road Construction

• Davidson Road to Willow Point Pkwy - Monday  through Friday:  Expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one lane open. The contractor will be installing signs, striping, and grassing. 
• Willow Point Parkway to Timber Ridge Road – Monday through Friday: Expect periodic lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one lane remaining open. The contractor will be grading, and installing water main.

Little Willeo Road Sidewalks Construction

• Karls Gate Drive to Lake Fjord Pass – Monday through Friday: Expect intermittent lane closures from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with one lane remaining open while the contractor continues water main installation and placing concrete sidewalk and curb.