The Bridge to Nowhere

The old Rogers Bridge, once used by farmers on the Johns Creek side to take their crops to market in Duluth, now stands abandoned .

It's been that way for decades. But just a few years ago there was talk of renovating the bridge and opening it to pedestrian and bicycle traffic. 

The plan had the city of Duluth and Gwinnett County paying for half of the bridge renovations and Johns Creek the remainder. In 2009 when the study was made, the approximate cost was in the $1.2 to $1.5 million range said Melissa Muscato, City Engineer for the city of Duluth. 

"Right now the project is on hold," she said.

But in 2009 the Johns Creek City Council voted to take the project off its list. (Despite several phone messages and email requests asking for information, Patch was unable to get any details by deadline for this story on how the vote went or why the council decided to ditch the project.)

"The river is a great asset, but there is no access to it," said Bob Cheeley, a Johns Creek resident who has deep roots in the community, he's the great-great-grandson of Robert David Medlock who settled on the banks of the Chattahoochee River in the mid 1800s. The Medlock family once operated a ferry across the river and farmed the land.

Another resident, and avid cyclist, said having access to the bridge would open up so many opportunities for cyclists and runners who could take advantage of the trails on both sides of the river. 

For now, Rogers Bridge Road leads to a dead end. What's to become of the old landmark that bears the name of Johns Creek's forefathers remains unknown.

Would you like to see the old bridge restored and opened for pedestrian and bicycle traffic? Use the comment box below and let us know.