The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s project to widen East Brainerd Road is being funded this year. But that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be hiccups with getting the project started.
The project is going to affect more than just the area’s traffic flow. The flow of water – in nearby streams and wetlands – will also be affected.
So, before TDOT can put the project’s contract out for bids, TDOT must receive mandatory permits from several organizations.
Getting those permits could delay opening the project for bids in July as planned, said TDOT Regional Communications Officer Jennifer Flynn.
“The project is fully funded for construction, and we are currently slated to open bids on the project in July,” she said. “This is contingent on us getting our water quality permits, though, and that is out of our control.”
More specifically, TDOT is in the process of addressing comments from the Federal Highway Administration on the construction re-evaluation of the environmental document. It is also waiting on acquisition of stream relocation and wetland permits, Flynn said.
“The speed at which TDEC, TVA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can issue the water quality permits could affect the project,” she said.