QUITMAN — The bridge across Little River reopened last week, after being closed since April.

Brooks County Manager Robert O’Barr confirmed that the bridge work was accepted by the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT), and it was reopened around 1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27.

Although the bridge was closed as a result of the flooding earlier this year, the damage was classified as existing damage, O’Barr said. Therefore, Brooks County had to pay $14,000 to repair the bridge with no assistance from the state or federal government.

The bridge had a large chip in the piling. A pipe was placed around the piling and filled with concrete about six feet above water level.

O’Barr added that the flood did damage an ample amount of rock under the bridge. Brooks County purchased $8,000 worth of rock during the repair of the bridge as well.

“We are just glad to get it back open and safe for travel,” O’Barr said.

The bridge over Little River is one of several bridges that was closed during the flooding in the Lowndes County and Brooks County areas.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has stated that $12 million worth of damage was done to city and county public infrastructure in the Valdosta and Lowndes County areas alone.