A bridge on the Calhoun/Dougherty County line that was built the same year the United States launched its first satellite into space is going to be replaced.

While the Explorer 1 satellite was destroyed many years ago, the bridge built in 1958 on state Route 234 over the Chickasawhatchee Creek still stands, at least for now.

Replacement of the deficient bridge is one of four projects in southwest counties the Georgia Department of Transportation awarded Dec. 1. The other projects will resurface roads and upgrade traffic signals. The total investment in southwest Georgia is $18.1 million.

The bridge replacement was the largest contract awarded statewide. The $9.7 million project replaces the narrow and structurally deficient bridge with a new bridge with two 12-foot travel lanes and 6.5-foot paved shoulders The project includes permanently realigning SR 234 south of its present location and building a new triple 9-foot by 6-foot overflow bridge culvert over the Chickasawhatchee Creek tributary.

Traffic will continue to use the existing bridge during construction, avoiding a detour. The contract was awarded to Oxford Construction Company of Albany with an anticipated completion of May 31, 2020.

Elsewhere in southwest Georgia, portions of SR 7 in Crisp County and US 84/SR 38 in Early County will be resurfaced. The Crisp County project runs from south of 27th Avenue to the Dooly County line. The construction cost is $1.7 million and the contractor is Reeves Construction Co. of Macon. The Early County project begins at the Alabama state line and ends at the Seminole County line. The construction cost is $4.6 million. The anticipated completion date for both projects is Oct. 31, 2018.

In Lowndes County traffic signals will be upgraded at 15 locations. This includes installation of intersection video detection systems, which are used to keep traffic moving efficiently, not for enforcement of traffic laws or to catch violators. The contract amount is $1.9 million and the completion date is Nov. 30, 2018.

The locations are:

• SR 38/Hill Avenue at Fry Street, North Oak Street, Toombs Street, SR 7 South/South Patterson Street, SR 7 Business/North Ashley Street and Lee Street

• SR 38/Hill Avenue/Central Avenue at Forrest Street

• SR 38 West/Central Avenue at North Lee Street, SR 7 BUS/North Ashley Street, SR 7 South/North Patterson Street, Toombs Street and North Oak Street

• SR 7 BUS/Ashley Street at Valley Street

• SR 7 South/Patterson Street at Valley Street and Magnolia Street