A Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) open house discussing the replacement of the Smoak Road bridge over Troublesome Creek and the resulting detour was sparsely attended Tuesday night.

As of 5:55 p.m. Tuesday, there were relatively few people at the Spalding County Courthouse Annex meeting room, where the open house was being held.

Transportation Planner Anthony Dukes said he did not think the renovation of the bridge would cause much of a problem because it is on a dirt road and, as part of the project, other improvements will be made on the road.

He said the plans for the project will be in the office of Spalding County Community Development Director Chuck Taylor for anyone who wants to see them.

Greg Glisson and his fiancee Annette Sampler came to the open house.

“We are property owners on Smoak Road,” he said. “Our driveway is right at the bridge.”

He said the open house was informative. He was impressed with GDOT’s willingness to minimize the impact on his family.

He said after the bridge is replaced, it will be a significant improvement.

GDOT District Design Engineer Jason Mobley said none of the visitors had any problems with what will happen. He offered them information about where the detour would be and they accepted it.

According to earlier reporting by The Griffin Daily News, the detour will begin at the intersection of Smoak Road and McIntosh Road, follow McIntosh Road to Georgia Highway 155, turn left on Highway 155, go to the intersection with Teamon Road, turn left and reconnect with Smoak Road.

In a later interview, Mobley said based on the current schedule, the contractor will be chosen in July 2011 and construction will begin in the fall of that year.