East Tennessee bridge over French Broad closes Monday

Friday, February 26, 2010

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - A bridge over the French Broad River in East Tennessee will be closed for extensive repairs beginning Monday.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation says the State Route 92 bridge in Dandridge will be closed to all traffic for at least six weeks while steel stringers are repaired, concrete is improved and the deck is resurfaced.

TDOT will pay contractor Southern Constructors a $100,000 bonus if the work is done by April 17 and fine the company $3,500 per day if it isn't done by May 15. The contract is for $1.5 million.

The detour uses U.S. 25/70 and U.S. 411.

TDOT Region One Director Steve Borden said the roadway across the bridge is only 18 feet wide, so it wasn't practical to maintain one lane during repairs.