As the skies clear this week, state contractors started work on a $32.9 million bridge replacement project on Interstate 24 near mile marker 183 at Belvoir Avenue and Germantown Road, adjacent to the ongoing $132.6 million interchange improvement project at I-24 and Interstate 75.
The Belvoir Avenue Bridge over I-24 is on tap for replacement first with construction that started Monday, followed by the replacement of two I-24 bridges over Germantown Road a half mile to the northwest. The two projects will be closely coordinated, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation officials who applaud the project’s start.
“We are pleased that this important project is getting underway,” TDOT Region 2 Director Joe Deering said via email. “There will always be a need for efficient movement of goods and services, so it is critical to continue improvements to our infrastructure even during these uncertain times.”
East Ridge and Brainerd residents will find it somewhat inconvenient to cross I-24 for a while, East Ridge City Manager Chris Dorsey said Monday.
“It’s the price of progress to have this construciton, but we’re glad it’s under way,” Dorsey said.