Residents waiting for the reopening of the State Route 67/91 (Broad Street) Bridge will have to extend their patience by another month, as the completion date pushes back to early July, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced unexpected complications in the repair work of the historical structure, which dates back to 1929 and took a hit from Hurricane Helene in September 2024.
According to an update from TDOT, geotechnical investigations revealed that the cobble rock under the bridge, extending up to 18 feet in depth, poses a more complex challenge for the installation of micro-piles than previously thought, a revelation that inevitably has affected the project's timeline and, as such, dewatering and diversion procedures considering these tasks critical to jacking the bridge and pouring new footers for stabilization.
The delay of the State Route 67/91 Bridge follows a series of ongoing recovery efforts after the hurricane impacted East Tennessee's infrastructure; while out of the initial 49 closed sections of state and local routes, 44 have been reopened, TDOT remains committed to the restoration process of this particular bridge, reflecting its dedication to preserving the region's historic landmarks.
