HICKORY FLAT — Officials with the Georgia Department of Transportation conducted a public open house Thursday at Mountain Road Elementary School to discuss a replacement bridge over Little River.

More than 50 residents attended the informal meeting to review the design for the bridge, ask questions and submit written statements.

Mark McKinnon, GDOT communications specialist, said construction for the bridge spanning State Route 140 will begin in July 2016.

McKinnon said the bridge was given a “structurally deficient” rating by GDOT officials, meaning it qualifies for federal funding for replacement but is not unsafe to cross.

“This project has always been on the slate of necessary projects,” Geoff Morton, Cherokee County’s engineer told a group of people reviewing the plans.

The about $10 million project is anticipated to take 12 to 18 months to replace and will feature 12-foot shoulders, McKinnon said. The bridge will cost around $6 million.

“Our biggest headache will be the construction with all the barrels out there. People will have to shift a little, but I think it will be a great result.” McKinnon said.

During construction, GDOT anticipates maintaining two lanes of traffic, as the replacement bridge will be built about 50 feet north of the existing bridge.

For those who did not attend, statements may be addressed to: Glenn Bowman, P.E., State Environmental Administrator, Georgia Department of Transportation, 600 West Peachtree St. N.W., 16th floor, Atlanta, GA 30308.