Peachtree City is on the verge of completing two bridges that will enhance access to the city’s 80-plus mile cart path network.

But for now, construction has been halted on both efforts for different reasons.

One of the bridges spans the CSX railroad tracks parallel to Ga. Highway 54 West. Though the bridge itself is complete, the city has lacked the necessary state permits to build the approach paths. Ironically those permits are on hold awaiting a determination from the Georgia Department of Transportation that they will not adversely affect air quality.

Progress is still occurring behind the scenes though, said City Engineer David Borkowski. The consulting engineering firm last week submitted its final construction drawings to the city, and the DOT has agreed to review those drawings while the air quality ruling is pending, Borkowski said.

Meanwhile, another bridge on the southside is also in but unusable because it too lacks approach paths. The bridge will span Flat Creek and link the Morallion Hills subdivision up with businesses in the city’s industrial park on Gardner Park.

The holdup on this project started with opposition from neighbors living near the bridge in Morallion Hills who worry that the project design will cause their backyards to flood. That led to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denying the city’s initial wetlands disturbance permit for the project, and the city followed up by holding a meeting with its consulting engineering firm on the project, neighbors in the area and retired biologist Dennis Chase of the Line Creek Association.

As part of that meeting, the city agreed to seek a cost estimate for building a different design for the approaches, and the engineering firm is already working on that aspect of the project, Borkowski said. Once the design is complete the city can re-apply for the necessary wetland permits to finish the project, Borkowski said.

The bridge is considered a key link for residents on Peachtree City’s south side. The Georgia Department of Transportation has agreed to install a tunnel under Ga. Highway 74 as part of the road widening project, and combined with the Flat Creek bridge will provide southside residents with access to the city’s ballfields at the Baseball and Soccer Complex and later to the Meade Field recreation area.