Two more bridges wrecked by Helene reopen

The Tennessee Department of Transportation continues to make strong progress in restoring roadways damaged by Hurricane Helene last September.

While Hawkins County lay just outside the main path of the hurricane, neighboring counties to the south and east suffered moderate to heavy damage. A total of 49 state and local routes in East Tennessee had to be closed by TDOT. Last week, the State Route 107/Kinser Bridge in Greene County and the SR 81/Taylor Bridge in Washington County reopened on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Both closings were the result of bridges over the Nolichucky River being compromised by floodwaters.

The Taylor Bridge, which was entirely destroyed last fall, was rebuilt in less than eight months.

Of the 49 road closures as a result of damage from Helene, only three have yet to be reopened. One involves a damaged bridge over the Doe River in Carter County, and the others concern closed sections of SR 159 and U.S. 321 in the Elk Mills community of Carter and Johnson counties. In addition, some restrictions remain on sections of Interstates 40 and 26 near the borders of each with North Carolina. These roads are federally maintained.

Three of the road closures from last September were in Hawkins County, along SRs 31, 66 and 94, but all have been resolved.