The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) project to replace a bridge over Hazel Creek — located on Central Avenue in Demorest — is moving forward, though not without some delays and anticipated timeline adjustments. The project, originally slated to be completed by January 2025, is almost a year behind.

The bridge was named in honor of the late Johnny Mize ten years ago, in July 2015. Mize grew up in Demorest and became a baseball phenom, playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees. Known as "The Big Cat" because of the poise in his stance when he was at bat and his ease in the field, Mize was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981.

In March of 2025, DOT reported that the new span construction was approximately 20 %–25 % complete. The original plan was to erect a temporary diversion bridge, shift traffic onto that, then remove and replace the existing bridge. That temporary structure has been removed and now, the work has shifted to the southbound lanes. Following the shift, removal of the old bridge will begin and the full replacement work will continue, though at this time there is no known timeline for the project to be completed.

Replacing the Johnny Mize Bridge will enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and ensure long-term structural integrity of an important crossing in our region. Given its location adjacent to the downtown Demorest area and near other key infrastructure, the project is one of the more significant local GDOT investments in recent years.

While 2026 is the target date for full completion, the public should expect phased openings and traffic shifts beforehand. As the project progresses from current partial completion to major milestones — like the traffic shift onto the new span — residents and commuters will need updates regarding lane closures or detours.

We will continue to monitor the project and provide updates as major milestones are reached or if the timeline changes. For now, motorists should plan accordingly and stay alert to signage and temporary traffic patterns in the construction zone.