By Kristin Senatore
Traffic has been reduced to one lane in each direction on US 441/411/State Route 35 over the Little Pigeon River in Sevierville and will be for some time.
The 1.1 million dollar bridge project, contracted by Charles Blalock and Sons, Inc. started on Nov. 8.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has set up portable concrete barrier rails and begun repairs to the northbound section of the bridge over the west prong of Little Pigeon River.  
Traffic is currently being shifted to the southbound side of the bridge as crews are working on the northbound part of the bridge.  
Vehicle traffic will remain shifted to the southbound side until the first phase of the project is complete.  Phase one construction is estimated to be done four months from now.  
When phase one is done, traffic will be shifted to the northbound side of the bridge as crews repair the southbound side of the bridge.
The detour for traffic with wide loads over 11 feet is Old Knoxville Highway. According to TDOT, all motorists should be alert for changed conditions and use extreme caution while traveling through this area of Sevierville.
The bridge repair project should be complete in Fall of 2011.

 

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