Bote's Sign Pages - New High Bridge, U.S. 17, Brunswick, GA

I started this little project on a lark as I noticed an unusual sight while driving south on I-95 near Brunswick, Georgia. What caught my eye was that bridge in the distance that was missing important parts! As I returned to Florida with a loaner digital camera 2 years later, I hoped to find a completed high bridge, but it was still under construction, although nearing completion.

The old photos were taken 27 December, 2000 of the new high bridge replacing the decrepit Sidney Lanier Bridge carrying U.S. 17 over the Brunswick River. The new photos were taken exactly 2 years later on 28 December, 2002 with my friend's loaner digital Kodak DC260 camera. Different optics between the cameras and slightly different shooting positions fool the eye, but I tried to get shots similar to 2 years previous to show the progress.

Finally, on my return to Florida over the Christmas holidays in 2004, I stopped by Brunswick to snap some shots with my new Canon Powershot A400. The old drawbridge has been removed, leaving only the approach piers intact. I believe that the bridge piers are being transformed into some sort of park here. Word has it that the new high bridge allows for larger craft in all dimensions, so the Port of Brunswick might be seeing more business in coming years, including new railroad traffic to the port such as new automobiles.

The new bridge is a cable-stayed high span bridge which dwarfs the old Lanier drawbridge in one of the photos below. I caught it in December, 2000 at about 70% complete, missing a few spans, guard rails, finished surface, and other niceties.

Most of the images below are stored full size, but displayed at smaller size to make the page easier on the eyes. Since they are not thumbnails they will take a while to load on narrow connections. You can view them at full size by right-clicking and saving them to your disc. The most recent photos are thumbnails linked to larger images, so you can simply right-click and open them in another tab.

	Here's what the new high bridge looked like approaching northbound on US 17. I sure hope nobody's driving across it, because they're in for a big surprise! December, 2000
	The deck is complete across the entire span, but it is not open to traffic. Various vehicles and equipment dot the bridge when viewed from a distance. December, 2002
	A tighter shot of the stayed span. December, 2002
	The "detour" is simply the merging of the divided highway traffic northbound onto the southbound lanes while they pave the approach to the new span. December, 2000
	Counterpoise anchors already have the concrete poured. These might be to protect the incomplete bridge span from hurricane force winds, and will be removed once the spans have been joined. December, 2000
	Counterpoise anchors not yet poured, tugboat passes island behind. December, 2000
	View of empty pier with completed spans on either side. December, 2000
	Empty pier still has forms on T-section at top. December, 2000
	Wide view of south island with cranes and construction equipment dotting it, old bridge is dwarfed by comparison. December, 2000
	Pier island with concrete footings already poured. December, 2000
	South island with forms for footings being placed by team of men. December, 2000
	Lower angle of island with forms for footings being placed. December, 2000
	Base and footing of new pier on south mainland side. December, 2000
	Detail of the thickness of the pier footing on south mainland. December, 2000
	Forms for pier on south mainland with black sheathing peeled back. December, 2000
	Forms for dual piers on south mainland. December, 2000
	Looking north at empty piers and south tower. December, 2000
	Dual poured pier bases with rebars sticking up on south mainland. December, 2000
	End of slab with scaffold ladder from ground to top. December, 2000
	Similar view of completed dual pier on south mainland. December, 2002
	End of slab, finished, awaiting connection to other span. December, 2000
	Looking north at end of slab, cable towers, old bridge. December, 2000
	Similar view looking north with dual pier decking completed. December, 2002
	Looking up at the new cable-stayed span ending in mid-air. December, 2000
	The pier table, the initial main span reaches out from the cable tower. December, 2000
	Island, pier, construction elevator. December, 2000
	Looking up at the cable-stayed span and cables, old Lanier bridge green riser partially obscures view. December, 2000
	Looking up from old bridge at cable-stayed span and cables. December, 2000
	Updated view of completed cable stayed spans from new construction area on west side of highway. December, 2002
	Completed span in service. Old Lanier Bridge has been removed, except for the piers on either shore. Click this one to enlarge. December, 2004
	Lower view showing more of the shore once traversed by the old bridge. Click this one to enlarge. December, 2004
	The finished project welcomes the motorist to Jekyll Island with this inviting view. Click this one to enlarge it. December, 2004

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