MONROE COUNTY, Ga. — In April 2022, a storm caused major flooding, and Monroe County's Old Brent Road bridge collapsed.
In June 2023, the county got nearly $800,000 in state funding to help make repairs. They're matching that amount through SPLOST funding dedicated for bridges and roads.
For Dorthy Allen, the Old Brent Road bridge has supported her family.
"I have lived on Old Brent Road all my life," Allen said.
As she sits in her chair every day, she remembers 57 years of history. Allen says she drove on the Old Brent Road bridge daily until it collapsed that stormy April day.
"I was just sad because I knew it was a disaster," Allen said. "We had a disaster in '93 that messed up part of Old Brent Road."
A series of storms burst a pipe under the bridge, causing it to cave in.
"Their first intention was to never open it again," Allen said. "That's what concerned me - they didn't ask me. I have been on this road all of my life."
But now the county is bridging the gap. Commissioner Lamarcus Davis says the detours since the collapse have been challenging for neighbors.
"You don't have that safety risk out there with a bridge torn out, people taking risk going across it, or anything like that," Davis said. "Even though we got it blocked off, you still got people out there that like to take risks."
For Allen, she hopes to continue history on Old Brent Road bridge.
"It was useful for me," she said. "It was useful for the people that live on this street."
Commissioner Davis says construction will begin on Dec. 2. He says after that, contractors have 270 days to finish it.