VALDOSTA — The City of Valdosta and the Georgia Department of Transportation invite the public to attend the ribbon cutting of the Hill Avenue Overpass, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. The event, celebrating nearly three decades of planning, will be held on the east end of the overpass, in the parking lot of 610 W. Hill Avenue. Ample parking is available near the event site at 602-606 and 509-511 W. Hill Avenue.

The $9 million structure, made from approximately 16,500 tons of asphalt, 5,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 115 tons of reinforced steel bars is a welcomed addition to the city in an area in which an average of 22 trains pass through each day. Beginning Tuesday, motorists will be able to travel the 330-foot length of the bridge over the busy railroad tracks that symbolize our city’s roots and the continued prosperity of our area.

“According to traffic studies conducted by GDOT, roughly 18,775 vehicles a day are expected to travel east and westbound across the new overpass, and 26,875 vehicles a day on the same route are projected by the year 2034,” said Mayor John Gayle. “While we celebrate our city’s past, present and future prosperity in regards to the railroad, the City of Valdosta is pleased with GDOT’s work on the overpass and for providing our citizens with a long-awaited solution to the train traffic on the west side of the city.”

The Hill Avenue Overpass project, which was completed within budget and two and a half months ahead of schedule, alsofeatures a sidewalk for pedestrians to travel safely across andadjacent frontage roads that allow access to businesses and homes in that area.

For more information, citizens may attend Tuesday’s event or contact the City of Valdosta Public Information Office at (229) 259-3548.