Islands Expressway Bridge delay: The latest on the project and how much work is left

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The project to remove and replace the drawbridge connecting Savannah and Whitemarsh Island started in 2018. Since then its completion dates have continued to be pushed back.

WTOC first reported on this project beginning in 2018 with a compilation date looking to be in 2022, then 2023, 2024, and now as we near 2025 with a very loose completion date in 2026.

It’s something neighbors of the area are exhausted talking about.

Ryon Thompson lives in the neighborhood behind the construction. He says that main issue with the ongoing construction is the danger it brings to his family as his children start to drive.

“When you go to turn out of our neighborhood, it can get dangerous,” said Thompson.

When the project first started he did not think this would even be around when his kids entered driving age but as the project has continued to get delayed its now a thought he has often.

“When this first started, we thought, let’s make the most out of it, surely it can’t last too long,” said Thompson. Those—famous last words.

According to previous reporting, the contract between Prince Contracting and GDOT expired on April 1st.

As a result, GDOT has been fining the company $5,000 a day and will continue until it is completed. According to those numbers, the company is inching towards $1.2 million in fines.

Update on the Islands Expressway Bridge replacement project GDOT says that this project has met complications throughout its time but they continue to push through.

Their spokesperson, Jill Nagel, said: “Construction of the twin bridge is ongoing on land, with the finishing up of removal of the two drawbridges continuing in and around the waterway. We have met our challenges on the Islands Expressway Bridges replacement project. Throughout these obstacles, we have maintained a steady flow of traffic through the project, and the opening of the new bridge has greatly enhanced mobility in this area. The new bridge, now open to traffic, has eliminated the previous congestion caused by maritime traffic. Based on the schedule provided by Prince Contracting, the twin bridge will be open to traffic in the first quarter of 2026.”

Speaking to the neighbors, the feelings about the construction are unanimous, annoying, dangerous, and ready for the whole thing to be over.

But Thompson does say that throughout all of this, those in charge have been relatively responsive.

“They have been respective to most of our complaints or concerns, we just want it to be done as quickly as possible,” said Thompson.

We reached out the Price Contracting earlier this afternoon to see if we could get a more detailed timeline and a reason for the continued delay but we have not heard back yet.

When WTOC spoke to the HOA president, he said that the neighborhoods on both sides of the bridge have a meeting scheduled later this month to speak with the contractors, Chatham County, and the Department of Transportation.

For previous reporting click below: