Savannah Prepares to Close Public Input Period to Decide the Future of Curated Landmark

The Future of the Talmadge Bridge Down to Last Hour

As the clock whittles down to the last hour in Savannah, city leaders eagerly await more public feedback to decide the future of the city’s most prominent landmark, the Talmadge Bridge. Discussions surrounding this topic emerged earlier this year, with the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) presenting its final two proposals for the bridge’s replacement last month.

Initiating the public conversation, the GDOT sifted through six possible options, ultimately narrowing down the future decision to two plans: creating a new bridge running parallel to the existing one, but with greater height, or alternatively constructing an underground tunnel.

Ports Expansion Drives Critical Bridge Decision

GDOT justifies the need for a major change explaining that as the ports continue to grow, this project was just a matter of time. Five years into its ten-year planning horizon, GDOT is now preparing to finalize the future of this iconic landmark. The bridge’s current height could potentially limit future Georgia Ports Authority’s expansion, hence this significant move.

“Especially in the last 5-10 years those challenges that we see with the port has continued to grow with those larger ships calling on that area. We knew this was going to be an issue that we had to address,” said Kyle Collins, a representative of GDOT.

Two Options on the Table: A New Bridge or an Underground Tunnel

In addressing the current limitations of the Talmadge Bridge, the two final options have been presented to the public.

The first option is to construct a new bridge adjacent to the current structure. However, this new entity would boast a height increase from 185ft to 230ft, addressing the clearance issues and accommodating larger ships in the future. This plan would allow the existing bridge to continue its services until the new structure is ready, with an estimated completion period of 9 to 11 years, carrying four lanes of traffic.

The second option is to think outside the box, and beneath the river, by creating an underground tunnel. This innovative approach would enable entire removal of the current bridge, hence permanently resolving any future clearance problems. This design proposes two parallel tunnels, each carrying two lanes of traffic running through the Savannah River, exiting onto Hutchinson Island. Estimated to also take 9 to 11 years to build, this option would allow traffic to continue as per usual.

Time is running out – Your opinion matters

The decision-making deadline is drawing nearer, and residents who have not yet submitted their feedback have until midnight to let their voices be heard. As we prepare to conclude this critical chapter and make a decision that will determine the future of our beloved Talmadge Bridge, we encourage everyone to participate and make a difference in shaping the future of their city.