Drivers crossing the bridge on U.S. Highway 70 near Leach will soon see a new traffic pattern as TDOT prepares for the next phase of repairs.
According to Nichole Lawrence, Regional Communications Officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, a temporary traffic signal will be fully installed at the site in late October or early November, weather permitting.
The bridge currently has steel plates as a temporary patch that was placed after crews discovered that scheduled repairs to the bridge deck would be more extensive than originally expected.
“This was always part of the paving project,” Lawrence said, “but when they began investigating that specific bridge, they found that the repair would be more expensive and more complex than first planned. They had to step back, develop a full repair plan, and ensure the work could be done correctly and safely.”
The signal will reduce traffic to one lane while crews remove and replace the damaged section of the bridge. Lawrence said the light will likely remain up for a couple of months, possibly through the end of the year, depending on weather.
“Safety is our top priority,” she added. “This signal will allow us to safely manage traffic while crews work under and on top of the bridge.”
While the steel plates will be removed as part of the upcoming repairs, Lawrence noted that final paving and striping will not be completed until spring, when temperatures are suitable for pavement work.
“This is a temporary inconvenience, but the end result will be a safe, fully repaired bridge,” she said.
