Green thumbs up for efficiency — the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has managed to complete bridge reconstructions in East Tennessee well before schedule. A statement obtained by TDOT confirms that the State Route 107/Sgt. Elbert Kinser Bridge in Greene County is reopening a full month earlier than anticipated, offering reprieve for the region still feeling the effects of last year’s Hurricane Helene.
The project not only marks a historic pace for TDOT but also stands as a testament to the success of the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) method, which allowed the overlapping of design and construction phases, though like in theory: not without its challenges, in practice it saved precious time in bringing the vital infrastructure back to service. Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley told that "using the Progressive Design Build method, we finished in just seven and a half months," highlighting the innovative approach as a significant factor in expediting completion. With this method, the department successfully navigated the pressing need to rebuild post-emergency, without the usual constraint of managing traffic during construction.
A factor contributing to this accelerated progress was the Transportation Modernization Act passed in 2023. This piece of legislation enabled the PDB approach, empowering the state to tackle infrastructure needs more swiftly. The benefits of this method have become evident, with 45 out of 49 road and bridge sections affected by Hurricane Helene now restored to functionality. Additionally, the SR-81 bridge in Washington County is next in line, with its reopening scheduled for tomorrow, as reported by TDOT's update.
While the newly opened SR-107 bridge resumes its role in transporting over 11,190 vehicles each day, the honoring of Sgt. Elbert Kinser reminds locals of a valor steeped deep in their history, as he was "a Greeneville native and a United States Marine Corps Sergeant during World War II." Kinser's legacy now literally supports the day-to-day lives of the community he died protecting. Meanwhile, residents are urged to exercise caution over the coming weeks Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., the project's contractor will continue with painting and striping activities which means temporary lane closures can be expected and workers will be on site. The gesture of Kiewit's additional $100,000 donation to aid Hurricane Helene recovery is a welcomed boon for East Tennessee's ongoing rejuvenation efforts, as per TDOT's release.
For those seeking more details on the reconstruction outcomes or how to navigate around the bridge's final touch-ups, TDOT's dedicated Hurricane Helene recovery page serves as a resource. The cost and collective effort poured into these projects, which stands north of $56 million, signifies a financial and communal investment in the resilience and recovery of the region in the face of natural calamity.
