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Bridge at river being replaced
Dam Bridge Work 1 es
A crew works on a new pedestrian bridge that will connect the park on the east side of the Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam to one on the west side. - photo by Emily Saunders
If you’re traveling over Buford Dam this week, try not to get distracted.

An 800-ton crane is being used to replace a bridge that connects the park on the east side of the Chattahoochee River to one on the west side.

Chris Lovelady, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers assistant operations project manager of Lake Lanier, said the previous bridge at the lower pool area failed inspection.

“It’s a main thoroughfare for people at both parks,” Lovelady said. “You can park on either side of the river and cross that bridge and get to the opposite side, so it really facilitates movement.”

The dam spans the Chattahoochee, forming Lanier and separating Forsyth and Gwinnett counties.

Had the bridge been unsafe, Lovelady said, it would have been closed before its replacement was ready.

The project should be completed this week.

“They’ve got the old bridge out of the way and now they’ve got to prep the foundation for the new bridge,” he said.