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Hammond Bridge overhaul snarls traffic

 

TDOT closed Hammond Bridge to traffic on Tuesday for a repair project that is expected to be completed by Sept. 30. Erica Yoon photo.

KINGSPORT — Another major bridge project is taking place in the Model City over the next seven months, with traffic between Kingsport and Colonial Heights to be significantly impacted.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation began repair work on Hammond Bridge (the older one) Tuesday, with traffic routed across the newer bridge closest to Fort Patrick Henry Dam.

When that work is done, eastbound traffic will be routed back onto Hammond Bridge, with one lane shut down at a time on the newer bridge as crews complete their repair work on both sides of the bridge.

Mike Thompson, traffic engineer for the city of Kingsport, said the work would include spot repairs on the decking of the bridge (partial depth and full depth), parapet wall repair work, and some work on the columns and spandrels.

Travis Brickey, spokesman for TDOT, said the cost of the project is estimated to be just over $1 million.

“It’s a pretty extensive project,” Brickey said. “The older bridge is in need of extensive repair on its columns, arches and have full and partial deck repair work done.”

TDOT estimates the project will be complete by Sept. 30.

The Hammond Bridge project marks the second bridge project started within the last month in Kingsport.

In January, TDOT began work to repair the Orebank Road bridge at a cost of $700,000. The project entails the full deck replacement of the bridge, removing all of the concrete from the steel beams, replacing one of the beams, and rebuilding the entire deck.

The repair work will limit the width of vehicles crossing the bridge and will require intermittent lane closures in both directions on John B. Dennis as well. The repair work was not due to a structural problem with the bridge.

This project is also estimated to be complete by Sept. 30.

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Geez, it is a minor imposition, not a complete cut off from civilized society.
The bridge needs repairs and it's being taken care of. Everyone who has reason to travel that area should simply allow for a little more travel time.
I am always amazed at how people seem to inflate such things into an almost apocalyptic scale.

Philip McCrackin | 2/15/2008 - 9:17 AM - (Suggest Removal )

How about we all think about the businesses that are being hurt by this. How will they survive with the impending traffic crisis? Will their customers still make the effort to frequent them? The barber shop and package store at the foot of the hill have long been Kingsport staples. Will their customers still make the trek?

Juan Hernandez | 2/15/2008 - 4:22 AM - (Suggest Removal )

So lets just block off the other bridge so we don't have to "see what happens". That suggestion sounds silly, doesn't it? Fear mongering never serves a useful purpose.

Dennis Corrigan | 2/14/2008 - 5:19 PM - (Suggest Removal )

It could be worse. If you remember, Hammond is the more narrow bridge from the "old" days. Imagine the wrecks that would occur on it. EMS and KPD had better set up a staging area by the dam to respond quickly to all the wrecks we'll see!

Michael McCracken | 2/14/2008 - 5:12 PM - (Suggest Removal )

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