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New Hwy. 81 bridge connecting Newton, Henry opens at midday Friday
Hwy. 81 bridge
The Hwy. 81 bridge over the South River is set to open by noon on Friday, Dec. 17. - photo by Georgia Department of Transportation
Tom Spigolon
Updated: Dec 17, 2021, 2:45 AM
Published: Dec 17, 2021, 2:46 AM

COVINGTON, Ga. — The Georgia Hwy. 81 bridge over the South River will open to traffic Friday, Dec. 17, at noon, a GDOT spokesman said. 

"Special thanks to Wright Brothers (Construction Co.) and all involved for achieving substantial completion ahead of schedule," said spokesman Kyle Collins.

However, Collins asked that motorists "not attempt to drive over the bridge until noon Friday."

The project began in fall 2020 to replace the former bridge, which was built in 1948. Vehicles had been detoured for 34 miles on roads around the site since then.  

The total length of the project is approximately 0.42 miles.
Two Covington residents killed in unrelated vehicle accidents
crashes map march 25, 2025
Two unrelated vehicle crashes resulting in fatalities took place on the morning of March 25, 2025 in Newton and Walton counties. The pins indicate the approximate locations of the incidents.
Kate Verity
Published: Mar 28, 2025, 6:32 PM

NEWTON COUNTY — Two Covington residents died in separate, unrelated vehicle accidents on Tuesday.

Brian Hix, 46, died in a crash in Walton County near Social Circle. According to a spokesperson from the Georgia State Patrol (GSP), Hix was driving a white Dodge Ram truck north along Social Circle Parkway near Laurel Street. At approximately 6:40 a.m., Hix’s vehicle crossed the centerline and hit a tractor-trailer head-on. 

Hix succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and the driver of the tractor-trailer, who remains unnamed, was not reported to have any injuries.

Social Circle Parkway from Cannon Drive to South Cherokee Road was closed for much of Tuesday morning due to the crash. 

Later that morning, 28-year-old Chason Weldon was involved in a crash on Access Road in Newton County. 

According to the GSP, a wide-load tractor-trailer with an excavator turned onto Access Road from a private drive just past Old Oxford Road and headed west.

Weldon was driving a white GMC east on Access Road at the time. According to the GSP spokesperson, the front left side of Weldon’s vehicle struck the truck, specifically hitting the tracks of the excavator.

Weldon was also declared deceased at the scene of the crash.