Another step in the process that will lead to the 2018 construction of a Fayetteville pedestrian bridge over Ga. Highway 54 near Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville was put in place April 13 by the Fayette County Commission.

Commissioners approved a Ga. Department of Transportation contract needed for right-of-way work to begin. County staff noted that the design work for the project is nearly complete and the project is ready to enter the land acquisition phase.

Fayette is the official sponsor, but the project is managed and funded by Fayetteville.

Long in the planning, the pedestrian bridge will be constructed immediately west of the hospital and will link to a pedestrian path system at Lester Road.

Construction costs for the bridge are estimated at $3 million, but the city is in line to get a federal grant to cut the costs. If the grant is obtained, the city would be on the hook for a total of $600,000, which would be paid for by SPLOST (special purpose local option sales tax) funds.

The bridge is expected to be completed in late 2018.

A second bridge to be located a short distance away, one that will span Veterans Parkway and link Pinewood Atlanta Studios and Pinewood Forrest, has been approved by the county and will be constructed at some point in the future.