New bridge opens to traffic

The bridge on Post Road over Hurricane Creek was opened to traffic last week after months of construction work to replace the old bridge at the site.
Jeff Davis County Road Department Director Chris Horton told the members of the Jeff Davis County Commission that the work is far from complete in the southernmost portion of the county where the bridge replacement took place. Horton said the months of traffic over the detour route had done damage to the roads along the route and the county is seeking $500,000 in funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation to repair that damage.
The detour ran on Pine Level Church Rd., SR 19, Ira Graham Rd., Brantley Rd., Philadelphia Church Rd. and Taylor Rd.
In other action at last week’s regularly scheduled County Commission meeting, the commissioners …
… appointed Lonnie Roberts to fill an opening on the Joint Development Authority of Jeff Davis County, Hazlehurst and Denton (JDA). There are two more openings on the JDA for seats currently held by Terry Stone and Johnny Watkins. Interested in the appointments are Stone, Watkins, Jason Yawn and Derick Wooten. The commission had failed to advertise to seek persons interested in serving on the JDA and an advertisement to that effect is running in this week’s edition of the Ledger and will also run next week with the final decision on filling the spots to come later.
… heard from Becky Palmer, representing Air Evac, about a proposal she had developed to provide emergency helicopter evacuation services to county employees at a cost of $79 per household.
… listened as County Administrator Jayme Crosby discussed work needed at the Jeff Davis County Learning Center. The commissioners accepted the $15,000 bid from Chappell Distributing Co. to replace playground material at the Learning Center.
… approved a request from the City of Hazlehurst for a work easement on county property along Hwy. 341.
… listened as Road Superintendent Horton explained the work the road department has been doing and the problems being experienced by excessive rains over the past few months.
… welcomed new Road Department secretary Brittany Feller who was present at the commission meeting.
… welcomed new County Office employee Chris Eunice who had transferred from the Tax Commissioner’s office.
… heard from Rodney Atwater who is working with Live Nation events.
… met in closed session to discuss litigation and personnel.