A paved path below, but no sidewalk above in Cedar Creek bridge plan

Georgia DOT would pave the footpath beneath the Atlanta Newnan Road/Shell Road bridge within its right of way—but is not proposing a sidewalk across the bridge. That distinction comes from the agency’s October 22 response to public comments on the proposed Cedar Creek bridge replacement.⁠[1][2]

People commenting on the project asked both for continued access to the path below and for a protected sidewalk above. GDOT says the footpath would close for safety during construction, then reopen, with its segment inside GDOT’s right of way paved to help prevent erosion beneath the bridge deck. For the road and bridge, however, the agency says its feasibility analysis found that pedestrian improvements such as a sidewalk were not warranted.⁠[1]

The crossing is at Georgia’s Fulton–Coweta county line, about three miles west of Palmetto. GDOT describes the existing two-lane bridge, built in 1962, as deteriorating and posted for reduced load capacity. The proposed replacement would be approximately 125 feet long and 29 feet wide.⁠[2][3]

Drivers would face an anticipated 7.5-mile detour using Atlanta Newnan Road, Hutchesons Ferry Road, Watkins Road and Tommy Lee Cook Road. The proposal also calls for closing the Serenbe Lane entrance to Atlanta Newnan Road for approximately 12–18 months during construction, with access through Selborne Lane about 0.7 mile north.⁠[3]

But total construction time is not necessarily the same as the bridge’s closure time. Responding to a comment objecting to the project’s duration, GDOT estimates a maximum of 18 months for the overall job and says traffic could return while final work that does not interfere with bridge use is completed. It does not promise a shorter closure.⁠[1]

When construction would begin remains unsettled in the published planning materials. The city’s October 9 update displays a 2036 construction program year, while GDOT’s June 2 preconstruction report lists construction in fiscal year 2028. Those conflicting entries do not establish a firm start date. Asked to replace the bridge immediately or before 2030, GDOT’s October 22 reply says contracting will depend on programming and funding availability.⁠[1][3][4]

GDOT’s project page describes the work as being in preliminary design. Its response says significant changes would bring additional public outreach; otherwise, the project would proceed to right-of-way acquisition and final design.⁠[1][2]