The Georgia Department of Transportation told WZQZ News on Wednesday that plans are moving forward to replace the bridge that spans Raccoon Creek on Highway 48 between Summerville and Menlo.

Georgia DOT District Six Communications Officer Joe Schulman said that there were two factors that prompted the state to replace the aging bridge.  First, the bridge was built 83 years-ago in 1939.  Second, the bridge no longer meets current bridge design standards.

Schulman says that bids will be let this summer for the replacement of the bridge.

The new bridge is going to cost the City of Summerville because they will be responsible for rerouting utilities.  Originally, the city was to pay 80% of the cost to move the utilities and the Georgia DOT would be responsible for 20% of the cost.  Councilman Joe Money told WZQZ News that the city was able to negotiate with the DOT to get that down to 70% for the city and 30% for the state.  Still, that would cost the city over $300,000.

Money says that the city is talking with State Senator Jeff Mullis to see if other arrangements can be worked out with the DOT to relieve the financial burden on the City of Summerville.