This is a collaborative project with Cobb County (SPLOST) project that will replace the existing bridge on Willeo Road over Willeo Creek on the Fulton/Cobb County border. Given the age of the existing bridge (built in 1960), its low sufficiency rating, and narrow width, both governments decided to partner to improve this asset for our citizens. This project will replace the bridge for vehicle traffic, but also add a new multi-use path, a sidewalk, and new bicycle lanes to the bridge deck. This new bridge will better link Roswell's riverwalk to Cobb County's trail network and bike lane system.

Project Number 03-1002 Project Type Bridge From/At Lower Roswell Road (Cobb County) To Willeo Road Estimated Total Cost $2,500,000 (December 2020) Roswell Cost Share $1,200,000 (December 2020) Fully Funded Yes Anticipated Start Date Spring 2021 Bridge Closure Time Frame 4 months Expected Completion Winter 2021/2022 Last Update: February 12, 2021

Current Status Concept Design Right-of-Way ► Construction

Willeo Road Over Willeo Creek Project Project Layout

This project is funded through Cobb County's 2016 SPLOST and the City of Roswell's capitol funding. The estimated cost of the project is approximately $2.5 million. The replacement bridge includes 11 foot travel lanes, 4 foot bicycle lanes, a 5 foot sidewalk on the west side and an 8 foot sidewalk on the east side. The project will connect to the existing sidewalk to the south of the new bridge along Lower Roswell Road.

North of the new bridge, the 5 foot sidewalk along the west side of Willeo Road will be extended to Bywater Trail. The 8 foot sidewalk will be extended along the east side of Willeo Road to the entrance for Willeo Park. The wide sidewalk will provide a direct connection to the Roswell Riverwalk via the Willeo Park parking lot, improving bicycle and pedestrian connectivity.

Willeo Road Over Willeo Creek Project Typical Section

The existing bridge is approximately 22 feet wide with substandard guardrail attachments that attach directly to the bridge deck. The bridge was constructed in 1960 and, during the most recent bridge inspection performed by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the Willeo Road Bridge over Willeo Creek was assigned a rating of 62.8 out of 100.

Given the age of the structure, low sufficiency rating, and narrow bridge width, the decision to replace the bridge is justified. Additionally, the existing bridge has no sidewalk or bike lanes on it, resulting in a gap in the area's biking and walking network.

The project area will be closed to through traffic for approximately 4 to 5 months while the bridge is replaced. Through traffic will be re-routed using Timber Ridge Road, SR 120/ Roswell Road, and Willeo Road between SR 120/ Roswell Road and Riverside Road. Local traffic will still be allowed to access Willeo Road all the way to the intersection with Bywater Trail near the project location.

Willeo Road Over Willeo Creek Project Detour Map

The Roswell Fire Department staff recognizes the concerns citizens may have with accessibility if flooding conditions close off the roadway near the Nature Center during the bridge closure. The Fire Department would like to assure citizens living off Willeo Road that the bridge closure will have no effect on our ability to respond to emergencies.

The City of Roswell maintains an updated Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that outlines response plans for all hazards. Threat assessments and vulnerability assessments are conducted periodically to ensure the EOP is relevant to an ever-changing environment. Flooding along the river, as well as other areas in the City, have been assessed and response plans have been established to handle any issues that might arise.

The Fire Department responds to a vast array of emergencies and has many resources at its disposal to resolve just about any issue. Our fire engines are all ALS (Advanced Life Support) certified and can ford up to 24” of water. We have a motorized boat specially designed for shallow water operations and four inflatable rafts that we can utilize if necessary. And we have an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) equipped with a high-pressure fire pump, 75 gallons of water, and a foam injecting system that can access neighborhoods from other neighborhoods through wooded areas.

The Fire Department staff invites any citizen who might have special needs to give us a call and we can discuss those needs individually. The main Fire Department phone number is 770-641-3730.

Tony Papoutsis
Interim Fire Chief

While some of the pre-construction activities are already underway, construction activities for this project are scheduled to begin in the Spring of 2021.

• Anticipated bridge closure to begin in Spring/Summer 2021.
• It is anticipated that the bridge will remain closed for a minimum of four (4) months.
• Electronic signs will be put in place a minimum of two (2) weeks prior to the closure of the bridge as notification and reminders to the traveling public.
• The project is expected to be completed in Winter 2021/2022.
• The timeline is subject to change based on weather conditions and other project needs.