US 17 Darien River Bridge Replacement

FAST FACTS

GDOT Project #: 0013599
Type: Bridge Replacement
Project Length: 0.48 miles
Affected Counties: McIntosh
Condemning Authority: GDOT
Estimated Affected Parcels: 1+
Estimated Cost: $143,185,112
Right-of-Way Funds: $1,920,000

Description

For residents of Darien, the replacement of the bridge over the Darien River has been a long time coming. The bridge is 80 years old and showing signs of structural deterioration, such that GDOT is shifting the replacement to the “innovative design-build” method to expedite its replacement. US 17, also known as State Route 25 or I-95 Business, comes straight through Darien and crosses the river into the Butler Island Plantation Historic area.

The new bridge will include a shared-use path and sidewalk, increase the vertical clearance of the bridge, and include a platform for the City of Darien’s annual “Blessing of the Fleet.” The bridge is currently slated to remain open during construction, but the project is certain to cause problems for local residents and businesses, especially along Fort King George Drive.

Additional pathways will add width to the bridge, and construction may require land from adjacent property. While relatively few parcels are slated for taking, local property owners should be aware of other infringements on their property rights. Contact an eminent domain attorney to make sure you’re being treated fairly!

Property Owner Concerns

B=Bridge replacement creates a lot of headaches for local property owners. So-called “temporary” construction easements can seem anything but temporary, as GDOT uses your property to store construction equipment for months at a time. There is also the possibility of inverse condemnation – where rights or property is taken without an offer of compensation.

Surrounding property owners may not have land directly taken, but indirect takings via easements may be more likely. It’s not uncommon for GDOT to start with a very low offer for land or easement rights. Multiple parcels may be affected by this project. If yours is one of them, call 1-888-391-1339 now.

What to Do if Your Property Is Affected

There’s still time exercise your rights if you have not accepted GDOT’s initial offer. The government has allocated nearly $2 million to compensate property owners, but it will try to buy your property for as little as possible. In many cases, the initial offer is often significantly lower than the value of what’s taken. You are not required to accept the government’s initial offer!

You have the right to fair compensation for property the government takes – even projects that claim to increase the value of surrounding property may ultimately do more harm to yours than good. “Fair” compensation could be significantly more than the first offer. Compensation for lost business income or expenses like relocation are almost never included in those offers. We can help you fight for them!

As long as you do not accept the initial offer, you can fight for more, and we can help. Call 1-888-391-1339 or contact us as soon as possible for a complimentary case evaluation.

We do not take an attorney’s fee unless we increase the government’s offer, and our fee only comes from the increased amount – our no-fee guarantee. Further, we front the costs of fighting your case and if we’re unable to increase the government’s offer to you, you don’t pay them. We do. That is how confident we are that we can assist you.

News and Publications

McIntosh County

Darien Times

WTOC

Project Maps

Estimated Project Schedule

Right of Way Acquisition – 2025

Start Construction – 2026

End Construction – TBD

Affected Parcels

The replacement of the US 17 Darien River Bridge in McIntosh County will affect one or more parcels of property. Property owners may lose significant amounts of land and/or property rights, representing significant financial value and usability. It is critical to understand that the government’s initial offer is just that – initial. We do not recommend that you accept the initial offer.

Call us at 1-888-391-1339 or contact us online as soon as possible for a free case evaluation.

Get a free case
evaluation today.

There are only a handful of attorneys in GA who practice eminent domain exclusively. And even fewer with DOT experience. That’s why it’s always worth it to get a free case evaluation.

Here’s how it works:

1) Tell us about your situation.

2) We research your property as needed, using DOT maps, our own technology, and experience to see the exact effects.

3) We let you know what we think a fair offer would be. This evaluation is free, and there’s no
pressure or obligation to hire us after.

But please don’t wait to act. Waiting can hurt your case, and the cost is the same: free.

1-888-391-1339

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