Hazzard County, Georgia, Chooses Velpont to Address Longstanding Crossing Issue

If you’ve spent any time on rural roads in Hazzard County, Georgia, you know the challenge: dips, ditches, and the occasional creek that may or may not double as a launch ramp. For years, local infrastructure has unintentionally supported a certain style of airborne crossings.

That’s about to change.

In a move that blends modern engineering with public safety, Hazzard County officials have announced plans to install Velpont modular bridge systems at crossings throughout the county.

When Crossings Become Launch Points

Dating back to the early 1980’s, crossings in Hazzard County have struggled to keep up with real-world use. Undersized structures, aging culverts, and eroded approaches have created conditions where vehicles are often forced to take a more… vertical route. While impressive, these conditions present real challenges:

• Unpredictable access during high water events
• Increased wear on vehicles, suspensions, and county patience
• Safety concerns for drivers, passengers, and anything in the landing zone

In short, what started as a few rough crossings has gradually become a recurring test of gravity that the county is now ready to retire.

Keeping Roads Over the Stream… and Cars on the Road

Hazzard County has selected Velpont, an open-span, modular bridge system, to address several of its most notorious crossings. The Velpont approach is straightforward and the benefits clear:

• Carry the roadway above the stream channel instead of dipping into it
• Use precast components to simplify installation and reduce downtime
• Maintain natural stream flow and sediment movement beneath the crossing
• Provide a surface designed for driving, not launching
• Enhance the likelihood of apprehending affable miscreant brothers driving orange 1969 Dodge Chargers

Velpont’s modular system allows crews to install crossings quickly, often in days instead of weeks, helping the county address multiple sites in a single construction season. The selection of Velpont is expected to minimize the impact of the project on this year’s Hazzard Homecoming Week, which features a possum cook-off, a tough man contest, and the main event – the overland race.

“We’ve spent years patching crossings that were never meant to handle… enthusiastic driving. Velpont gives us a way to keep the road where it belongs—over the stream—and the taxpayers out of the repair cycle.”

–Roscoe P. Hogg, Deputy Commissioner, Hazzard County Infrastructure Office

Initial installations will focus on crossings identified as having a “high likelihood of unintended airtime.” Only one location has been confirmed–the crossing on County Road 7 near the Boar’s Nest–however, sources suggest several sites along familiar rural routes are under consideration. Construction will be performed primarily from the streambanks, minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment and reducing the need for Hazzard County deputies to redirect traffic mid-chase.

Smoother Crossing, Fewer Jumps

Once installed, the new crossings are expected to deliver:

• Improved reliability during storms and seasonal flows
• Reduced maintenance compared to aging culverts
• Safer, more predictable travel conditions
• A measurable decrease in mid-air driving incidents

Local officials emphasize that while the upgrades may reduce opportunities for dramatic exits, they will significantly improve long-term infrastructure performance. As Deputy Commissioner Hogg stated, “Velpont bridges are engineered for durability, not distance.”

While Hazzard County, its airborne driving habits, and certain orange vehicles may be the product of creative storytelling, the benefits of Velpont are very real. Reduced construction time, minimized in-stream impact, and durable, open-span performance aren’t fiction; they’re how modern crossings are built.