AASHTO Journal, 23 August 2013
Officials from the Tennessee Department of Transportation joined elected officials Tuesday to celebrate progress on the $28.1 million Hurricane Bridge rehabilitation project in DeKalb County.
TDOT Commissioner John Schroer announced the department hit a major milestone in the rehabilitation project by opening the bridge to two lanes of traffic, as opposed to the one-lane only taking vehicles across the bridge for two full years. Drivers will now be able to enjoy better traffic flow, resulting in reduced travel delays.
“The Hurricane Bridge is very important to the DeKalb County area and the entire region” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer in a statement. “I am pleased to be here today to join with our state and local partners to celebrate the reopening of the bridge to two lanes of traffic.”
The bridge, originally built in 1954, began to show signs of aging, so TDOT began work rehabilitating the bridge in February 2011. Work on the bridges includes strengthening the trusses, repairing steel, painting, and removing and replacing the bridge deck. Even though the bridge has opened to two lanes, contractors will continue to work until all remaining work is completed, which TDOT expects to be Oct. 31.
For more information on TDOT projects and information, visit the TDOT’s SmartWay website here.
