Montgomery’s Wares Ferry Road bridge reopens months ahead of schedule

Montgomery reopened the Wares Ferry Road bridge at 9 a.m. Thursday, July 23, restoring a route that had been closed since December 2025 after structural damage made the bridge unsafe for traffic.

The emergency replacement took seven months, compared with the city’s original estimate of approximately one year. The project cost about $1.15 million, according to the City of Montgomery.

Bridge closed after safety assessment

The bridge was shut down on Dec. 18, 2025. In an earlier closure update, the city said structural damage associated with overweight vehicles created an urgent safety concern. A detour was established while the replacement was planned and built.

The reopening restores the Wares Ferry Road connection for motorists and for people who live, work and travel through the area. The city has not published specific measurements for travel-time savings, traffic volumes or business effects.

What the replacement included

The completed work included removing the damaged bridge, coordinating environmental approvals and utilities, installing a new precast culvert system, reconstructing the roadway, completing concrete work and restoring the site.

McDonald Construction was the contractor, according to the city.

Project cost and funding

The city reported an approximate total cost of $1.15 million. Through a partnership with the Poarch Creek Indians, the tribal organization is covering half of the project cost, the city said.

The schedule comparison refers to the completed construction timeline: the bridge reopened after seven months instead of the approximately one year initially projected. The available information does not establish that the work came in under budget.

Drivers should use caution

The reopening removes the bridge closure and its associated detour for local road users. The city has asked motorists to use caution as normal traffic patterns resume in the area.

Sources

• City of Montgomery — Wares Ferry Road Bridge to Reopen Thursday, Months Ahead of Schedule
• WSFA 12 News — Montgomery’s Wares Ferry Road bridge back open