DOT will proceed with design review for RR bridge at Hwy. 54

A new design for cart path approaches to a new bridge over Flat Creek in south Peachtree City is significantly more expensive than the original design.

Meanwhile, the city has learned that a holdup tied to approval at the state level will soon allow design work to progress on the golf cart bridge spanning the CSX railroad tracks parallel to Ga. Highway 54.

The City Council learned last week that the latest design for the Flat Creek bridge, done to address citizen concerns about potential flooding, will cost more than $450,000 compared to the original design.

The initial design, projected to cost about $260,000 would still move water from Flat Creek appropriately, said City Engineer David Borkowski. The new design adds several arch-span culverts, and the city has asked the consulting firm to see if some of them can be eliminated to lower the project cost.

The good news for the golf cart bridge on Hwy. 54 is that the Georgia Department of Transportation plans to sign off on paperwork so the project can proceed in the design phase. The DOT’s review of the city’s proposed design has been held up while the DOT determines if the project meets air quality standards.

The holdup seemed academic in nature since the lion's share of golf carts on the path are electric and non-polluting, though some are still run by gasoline engines. Except for neighborhood electric vehicles, motorized wheelchairs and electric-assisted bicycles no other engine-powered vehicles are allowed on the cart path.