ALPHARETTA, Ga. — A year of disruptions and detours is about to end as GDOT prepares to open the new Kimball Bridge Road bridge over Georgia 400.
Work began last May to dismantle and rebuild the 50-year-old bridge, which typically handles 8,000 drivers a day. The new bridge is scheduled to open on Wednesday, exactly one year after it closed.
At Diamond Glass Company, Chris Rust remembers the days when Kimball Bridge Road was quiet and narrow. He knew change was inevitable.
“There really was not a lot of traffic until the mall came,” said Rust. “Now with Avalon, seeing it grow over the years, yeah, it’s needed it for a long time.”
Overhauling the bridge over Georgia 400 addresses several needs.
Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard says the old, two-lane bridge was at capacity. The new bridge will have four lanes, sidewalks, and a multi-use path that will help link the Big Creek Greenway to the new Alpha Loop trail.
“This has become a key bicycle and pedestrian corridor,” said Drinkard. “It really opens up multi-modal transportation. It does more than just move cars.”
The new bridge also brings added room on Georgia 400, where GDOT plans to add express lanes.
At Diamond Glass Company, Chris Rust hasn’t been bothered by the 2 1/2 mile detour that’s about to end. In fact, he’s enjoyed seeing traffic and congestion diverted away from his business.
“Hasn’t been bad for us,” said Rust. “We don’t complain. We’ve liked the peace and quiet.”
The plan is to open the new bridge on Wednesday afternoon, possibly after the late rush hour.