Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews have been diligently working in the first 100 hours to assess damage and inspect all state-owned bridges over water across six counties in East Tennessee. So far, they have evaluated 310 bridges. On Monday, crews hauled 58 loads of debris to the landfill from just one area of I-26 in Unicoi County. The storm has caused historic destruction, and it is anticipated that the damage will cost hundreds of millions of dollars and result in months of closures.
The counties with the most significant damage are Washington, Carter, Unicoi, Johnson, Greene, and Cocke. Many routes in these counties will require significant repairs, and some may need a total rebuild.
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The following bridges have been destroyed:
– Washington SR-81 Nolichucky River Bridge
– Washington SR-353 Nolichucky River Bridge
– Greene SR-107 Nolichucky River Bridge
– Unicoi I-26 Bridge at MM 39.6 Eastbound
– Unicoi I-26 Bridge at MM 39.6 Westbound
Of the 13 state bridges that were initially closed, 7 have been reopened. Additionally, TDOT crews have assessed 47 routes and have repaired and reopened 25 routes.
On Thursday, crews will prioritize inspections for locally-owned bridges, totaling 102. Twelve of these bridges have either been washed out or are currently closed, while 90 still need assessment.
Nearly 400 TDOT team members from all four regions have mobilized to report to the hardest-hit areas. This includes employees specializing in geotech, survey, bridge inspection, design, project development right of way, and maintenance personnel in the field. They are prioritizing connectivity and infrastructure repairs necessary to connect people to essential services such as hospitals, food, shelter, and water.
To bolster efforts and restore the transportation system as safely and quickly as possible, TDOT has already executed four construction contracts and four debris removal contracts to supplement their crews. These additional assets are already on the ground working, with more contracts to be awarded in the upcoming weeks. Additionally, two alternative delivery advertisements are underway, which will allow for quicker restoration of infrastructure for the affected communities.
TDOT crews are dedicated to rebuilding East Tennessee. Many crew members are from the area and have personally been affected by the storm, yet they continue to work diligently.
For the most up-to-date closures, please check SmartWay or call 511 for statewide travel information. TDOT will continue to post updates on all its social media platforms. Follow @myTDOT on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: Read Original Release
Mobile Unit Assists Tennessee Flood Victims
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security (TDOSHS) has deployed a mobile unit at the Elizabethton Driver Services Center to help East Tennessee flood victims by issuing duplicate identification and driver licenses. It operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT. Additional temporary locations are set up at the Unicoi Police Department and Newport Grammar School, offering similar services until October 4, 2024. Many services are also available online through their website. For more resources on flood recovery, visit the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.