Dawson and White counties will benefit from Georgia Department of Transportation projects announced Tuesday.

The Ga. 9 bridge over the Etowah River in Dawson County will be replaced by a wider bridge, with paved 8-foot shoulders allowing room for vehicles in distress or in a crash to move out of the travel lanes.

The bridge was built in 1955. No detour will be needed during construction. A traffic signal will direct traffic across the bridge throughout construction, and one lane will be open at all times. The contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2018, for almost $3.9 million by Southeastern Site Development Inc. of Newnan.

Ga. 75 Alternate from Ga. 11/U.S. 129 in Cleveland to Ga. 17/Ga. 75 in Helen will be resurfaced.

The shoulders alongside Ga. 75 will be repaired, improving safety by giving vehicles a recovery area at the same grade as the road if needed. This 8.1-mile project will be done by Sept. 30, 2016, at a cost of about $1.1 million by Colditz Trucking Inc. of Blairsville.

Construction start dates have not yet been determined.