Work to complete a $10.2 million project on state Highway 30 in Athens, Tennessee, has been delayed until June, but all of the newly constructed traffic lanes should be open by April.
Delays arose from problems that were not contractor Talley Construction Co.'s fault, but came from unexpected problems as the project moved along that required construction of additional retaining walls, according to Jennifer Flynn, a Tennessee Department of Transportation spokeswoman.
The most recent problem is "the need to design and construct several additional retaining walls along Oostanaula Creek," Flynn wrote in an email. "These delays have resulted in a revised completion date of June 2020, thus making this a 3-year project."
Cars pass on the two-way portion through the construction area on state Highway 30 in Athens, Tenn., where a $10.2 million improvement project is expected to be completed by June. Traffic lanes are supposed to be finished and open by the end of April as the three-year project nears completion. / Staff photo by Ben BentonAthens businessman Don McCourt, owner of two Best Bet Auto Sales lots and a garage inside the project area, is out of patience.
When the project started more than two years ago, McCourt's used car lot was the site of two needed manholes, so he moved his business down the street, where he soon was surrounded by construction again, he said. He believes a lot of people avoid taking Highway 30 into Athens because of the project, which hurts all the businesses in the project area.
"It's been a nightmare," McCourt said.
TDOT negotiated a revised completion date with Talley that includes a requirement that the final five-lane configuration be open to traffic in both directions by the end of April, Flynn said.
Cars pass on the two-way portion through the construction area on state Highway 30 in Athens, Tenn., on Jan. 16, 2020, where a $10.2 million improvement project is expected to be completed by June. All traffic lanes are supposed to be finished and open by the end of April as the three-year project nears completion now set for June. / Staff photo by Ben BentonMcCourt is "as happy as anybody could be happy" to hear the project's nearing completion and that daily afternoon traffic backups are coming to an end.
Although wet winter weather usually has a negative impact on construction work, Flynn said Talley Construction has been trying to take advantage of unseasonably mild weather to move the project forward.
Work still remaining in the central portion of the project area includes back-filling of one retaining wall, placing grade stone in front of that wall and another retaining wall. and construction of a parapet on top of each of the walls, she said. Crews also will install drains, curbs, gutters, sidewalks and guardrails in the area of the retaining walls.
A member of Talley Construction Co crew dons his hardhat after a funeral procession passes Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. Talley is the contractor on the $10.2 million project to improve state Highway 30 and drainage along Oostanaula Creek. / Staff photo by Ben BentonPedestrian traffic signals still must be installed at the intersection of Highway 30 and State Route 39 and crews will "correct a drainage issue that will involve redoing some curb, gutter and sidewalk," she said.
As the work concludes, crews project-wide will remove barrier rails, sew seed and install final markings on the pavement, Flynn said.
"Hopefully, it's over soon. June can't get here quick enough," McCourt said.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.