Four Dyer County bridge projects selected for funding through bridge bonds

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has selected four projects to address structurally deficient bridges in Dyer County under TDOT's proposed bridge bonding program. The proposal, which has been presented to the legislature, will create or retain more than 15,000 jobs in Tennessee and will rebuild or repair two-thirds of the state's aging bridges.

Bridges in Dyer County identified for repair or replacement under the proposed bridge bonding program include:

SR104 over Bethal Branch - rehabilitation in Fiscal Year 2010

SR104 over an overflow area at LM 28.85 - rehabilitation in Fiscal Year 2011

SR182 (Lenox-Nauvoo Road) over Coon Creek - replacement in Fiscal Year 2010

SR211 over a branch at LM 6.04 - rehabilitation in Fiscal Year 2010

TDOT has proposed issuing $350 million in general obligation bonds to repair or replace 200, or two-thirds, of the state's structurally deficient system bridges. Included in the bridge projects slated for construction under the program are:

* seven weight-posted bridges

* one bridge currently closed to traffic (Cordell Hull Bridge in Carthage)

* 17 fracture critical bridges

* 29 scour critical bridges

* 62 bridges that are both structurally deficient and functionally obsolete

* 11 large bridge projects costing more than $10 million each (including seven projects costing more than $20 million each)

By using bonds, the state is also able to make needed repairs to bridges while material costs and interest rates are low.

All projects are pending the approval of the bridge bond proposal by the General Assembly. The legislature is currently considering the transportation budget for approval.

For more information on Tennessee's bridges, visit www.tn.gov/tdot/bridgeinfo/default.htm

For information on TDOT's Bridge Bonding proposal and regular Three Year Multimodal Transportation Program visit www.tn.gov/tdot.