The wait is coming to an end and a shutdown will begin on a main thoroughfare of Cedartown used by drivers to get around daily.

Look for the Georgia Department of Transportation to shut down the bridge over the Cedar Creek Tributary that connect downtown Cedartown via North Main Street to be shut down starting in mid-January.

Contractors have already begun work on the preparations for bringing down the old bridge – dating back to 1948 – and replace it with a new one over the tributary feeding into Cedar Creek.

The bridge replacement work began with utility moves earlier this year, and now they’ll be fully shutting down the bridge starting on January 14, per Cedartown City Manager Edward Guzman’s latest update on the project during their Tuesday, November 12 regular session.

He said that contractors per the agreement with the Georgia Department of Transportation have just 90 days after the bridge work begins to open up traffic again on the business route into and out of downtown Cedartown.

Local access to businesses on the north side will still be available, but the detour will require drivers to go around from Jule Peek Avenue to Girard Avenue via North College Street.

“We’re well ahead of contractors in preparations for this upcoming traffic shift to College Street, and though we do anticipate some minor headaches from time to time that can’t be avoided, we are hopeful that the bridge will be completed on time and open traffic back up on North Main Street as soon as possible,” Guzman said.

City Commissioners anticipated the detour earlier this year by implementing new stop signs at Girard Avenue and Jule Peek Avenue on College Street to slow down traffic in the neighborhood area.

One lane of the bridge has already been closed in preparation for the shutdown, and an additional shift will be completed ahead of the closure before the replacement work begins.

Check back for additional updates about road closures and more information about the bridge as it becomes available.