Traffic report: Relocation of SR 25 over the Savannah River in Port Wentworth planned

The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) and its construction partners expect to shift traffic onto the new State Route (SR) 25/Houlihan Bridge over the Savannah River on Monday, July 15, weather permitting.

Traffic approaching the new bridge will be detoured in both directions approximately 0.5 miles from the waterway. When the bridge opens to vehicular traffic, motorists may experience ongoing, intermittent lane closures while workers complete the final work. Demolition of the old structure will begin after the final traffic detour.

Visitors to the Houlihan Park boat ramp will still be able to access the facility via the new entrance/exit, located approximately 0.1 mile west of the existing entrance/exit. Similarly, the entrance/exit to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge on Onslow Island will be moved further east to pass between the island and the bridge. As with the old configuration, there will be no dedicated turn lane to access the boat ramp or Onslow Island. Motorists are asked to obey posted speed limits, which will be reduced to 35 mph as they approach the bridge.

Construction began in Q3 2022 with the construction of the bridge substructure in the waterway, and after just over 18 months, the new structure will open to traffic. This new bridge replaces the James P. Houlihan Bridge, one of the oldest in Georgia, originally built in 1954, and the last functioning swing bridge in the state, with a taller structure that provides more clearance in the waterway. In addition, the new bridge will have wider shoulders designed to accommodate modern passenger and commercial vehicles.

“This is a major milestone for a complex project that supports significant commercial vehicle traffic and many distribution centers in the region,” said Trevor Brown, Georgia DOT project manager. “Local stakeholders and the community have worked patiently with us as we build the new bridge, and we are excited to get motorists on the new bridge.”

This bridge replacement is connected to the replacement of the adjacent SR 25 bridge over the Middle River. Construction partners are currently working on the bridge substructure and will be installing beams for the new bridge in the coming months.

Completion of the entire project is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025.

Motorists are asked to remain alert and to observe the posted speed limits in the construction areas and on this new road.

Georgia DOT designs, builds and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We are involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bicycle and pedestrian programs, and assist local agencies in maintaining their roadways. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to providing a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to increase Georgia’s competitiveness through transportation leadership. Visit www.dot.ga.gov.