The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) recently awarded two contracts to rebuild three East Tennessee bridges Hurricane Helene destroyed in September. The rebuilds will cost $510 million.
The bridges carry state routes 81, 107 and 353 over the Nolichucky River in Greene and Washington counties and provide connectivity between the Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin.
TDOT awarded Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. of Brentwood a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) contract for the $56.5 million reconstruction of the SR-81 bridge in Washington County and the SR-107 bridge in Greene County. Progressive Design-Build is a project delivery method that allows the design and construction phases to overlap, requiring continuous collaboration between the owner, designers, and builders. The bridges are expected to open by the end of June.
TDOT awarded Summers-Taylor of Johnson City a Design-Build contract for the $20.9 million reconstruction of the SR-353 bridge in Washington County. Design-Build is a project delivery method combining all or some portions of the design and construction phases into a single contract. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026.
Both project delivery methods expedite construction. The Progressive Design-Build allows the fastest completion.
TDOT received $102 million in federal reimbursement to repair damages. The contracts follow a successful Guaranteed Maximum Price negotiation.