Replacement of SR 92 Bridge over the French Broad River

The Tennessee Department of Transportation held a public information meeting on Thursday, August 15, 2013, at the Field of Dreams Activity Center. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and an outlet for citizen input on the replacement of SR 92 Bridge over the French Broad River. Thursday’s meeting was the fourth public meeting that TDOT has hosted since 2007, however the most recent meeting included a more definitive start date for the construction and presented only one option for the new bridge location. Due to available funding, TDOT announced that the current bridge will be replaced with option R1D, which places the new bridge adjacent to the existing one and demolishes the old bridge once the new construction is complete. According to TDOT representatives, funding is already in place for the project and the environmental impact phase of the project should be complete in the winter of 2013/2014. Design work on the Roadway and Bridge will be completed in spring of 2015 and Right of Way and Utility Relocations will begin. The Construction phase of the project is anticipated to begin mid year of 2016.

Citizens were encouraged to view aesthetic options for fencing and lighting, as well as color of the new Bridge. The new structure is proposed to have two twelve foot lanes, a ten foot shoulder and a five foot pedestrian sidewalk on one side that would have decorative railing. Bicyclists will use the ten foot shoulder for travel. Voting on options is open until September 5, 2013. View the presentation discussing options and the time line here.  PRESENTATION