Bill_Hunton

Covered Bridge

Winter is about the only time one can get a photograph of the entire length of the Concord Covered Bridge in Smyrna, Georgia without the normal briars and vines...
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Winter is about the only time one can get a photograph of the entire length of the Concord Covered Bridge in Smyrna, Georgia without the normal briars and vines hiding it quite a bit.

This is one of the few old covered bridges in daily use, and the only one left in Cobb County, in metro Atlanta. It is one lane.

The current bridge was built in 1872. It was almost taken out entirely by a cement truck a couple decades ago. Engineers reinforced it without ruining the look and feel. The work took a couple months, during which time there was a detour. The detour took you several miles out of your way.

The bridge is the center piece of the historic district which includes the old grist mill and woolen mill which were strategic targets of Sherman's troops during the Battle of Atlanta.

The Silver Comet Trail is within a few hundred feet of the bridge. The trail is 63 miles long in Georgia and extends another 33 miles in Alabama where it becomes the Chief Ladiga Trail. I believe it is the longest and most narrow state park, and follows the old Silver Comet rail line.

So many trucks have hit the bridge that the county was forced to install large steel I-beams just out of view on the right and left. Further up the road on both sides, there are other warnings, and turn-arounds.

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