City Commissioners got an update on how a state project to replace a span across a tributary of Cedar Creek is getting on, and so far officials report the project is still on target for completion for the 90-day closure.

The old bridge is gone and the foundation work is underway on the new span that connects downtown Cedartown with the rest of the city and area beyond via the North Main Street corridor.

Work began back in January with demolition of the old bridge quickly completed, and new work beginning on the structure underneath to hold up the decking to the demands of thousands of vehicles per day.

Enough vehicle traffic that it has made a significant impact on traffic numbers on the detour route.

Currently drivers who usually take North Main Street to get around Cedartown are having to instead take North College Street around the bridge work from Jule Peek Avenue back over to Girard Avenue.

That traffic has doubled according to City Manager Edward Guzman, who reported during the Monday City Commission regular session on February 10 that the average of around 1,500 vehicles a day passing by one of the radar signs has jumped up past 3,000 vehicles per day average since the detour began in mid-January.

“That is astronomical, and I’m sure it’s not fun for our road infrastructure,” he said. “We’re keeping an eye on everything with another two months to go and we’re hoping that they don’t get delayed on their timeline.”

Guzman reported to the City Commission during his manager’s report on Monday that bridge work was on track to be completed by the deadline, but that was based on estimates of construction ahead of the latest flooding events that raised water levels across the area.

Contractors have only 90 days to complete the work and get the route back open per their contract with the state, spending several million dollars to replace the bridge that was in use for decades.