Four out-of-town bridge repair contractors are expected to inspect the Akins Pond Road bridge next week and give quotes for its repair, said Bulloch County engineer Brad Deal.

The bridge was closed immediately April 30 after a routine Georgia Department of Transportation inspection revealed six rotting wooden pilings underneath the bridge, said Bulloch County Manager Tom Couch.

The portion of road affected is between Highway 25/80 and Middleground Road.

Since the repairs are not expected to exceed $100,000, the sum that would require sealed bids to be solicited, county officials have not used the bidding process, which would take a longer period of time, Deal said. Instead, the four bridge repair and construction companies are expected to send representatives to look at the damages and submit quotes for repairs.

The companies contacted are Southern Concrete Construction Company in Albany; Massana Construction in Tyrone; Gregory Bridge Company in Eatonton; and Intron Technologies in Jacksonville, Florida.

“Southern Concrete and Gregory Bridge have done work for Bulloch County in the past,” he said. “The other two contractors were suggested by other government agencies that we have been in contact with.”

In addition to replacing the six rotting pilings, there is also some work to be done on foundations that support the pilings, he said.

Couch said the DOT inspection resulted in a finding that the “bridge is unsafe.” The Akins Pond Road area includes several highly populated subdivisions as well as other private residences and is a high-traffic area, he said.

Deal said the bridge company representatives are expected to arrive “sometime mid-week” and then provide quotes for the repairs. Although there is no expected sealed bid wait, “there is still no estimate” of when the bridge repairs will be completed and the bridge reopened, he said.

The bridge spans Mill Creek a little more than a mile from Highway 80, near the Paul Akins residence, he said.

Residents of Hunters Pointe and Glen Oaks subdivisions and users south of the bridge may still use Akins Pond Road. Access to locations on Akins Pond Road north of the bridge is only available via Middleground Road off Highway 25, just north of Hopeulikit. Jerry Hall Road users can also use Lakeview Road for access.

Traffic controls will remain in place to warn drivers approaching the areas. Motorists should stay alert while traveling through these locations, Couch said.

Herald reporter Holli Deal Saxon may be reached at (912) 489-9414.