Thanks to the team’s ingenuity and close coordination with contractors, materials suppliers, and GDOT staff, traffic was safely restored in less than one month—on December 17, 2024. This achievement underscores the importance of responsive engineering, resilient infrastructure, and effective public-private sector collaboration. We commend Gresham Smith for their outstanding leadership and innovation in delivering this vital emergency project.Rabindra Koirala, P.E. State Bridge Maintenance Engineer, GDOT
A Coastal Lifeline Restored
US 17 Emergency Bridge Repair Over Cypress Mill Creek
Client
Georgia Department of Transportation
Location
Brunswick, GA
Expertise
Services
Engineering
Accolades
2025 ACEC Georgia Engineering Excellence Awards State Award
2025 ACEC Georgia GPTQ Award
2025 ASHE Georgia Project of the Year (under $30M)
In November 2024, critical deterioration was discovered during bridge rehabilitation on U.S. Highway 17, the Ocean Highway linking Saint Simons Island to I-95. Carrying 16,000 vehicles daily, the unexpected closure posed an immediate safety and economic risk. Gresham Smith and GDOT rapidly developed an innovative solution: driving new piles through deck openings, casting a new bent cap, and transferring loads without temporary supports. This accelerated approach maintained original bearing locations, reduced risk, and enabled construction to proceed despite tidal and material challenges. Through close collaboration and creative engineering, the bridge was safely reopened in less than a month