The new Lewallen Bridge (SR 9) over the Clinch River in Clinton was officially opened Nov. 1 at a ceremony attended by Lt. Gov. Randy McNally and Steve Borden, TDOT assistant chief engineer and director of Region 1.
The contractor for the $27.6 million dollar project is Charles Blalock and Sons Inc. of Sevierville. Lynn Murphy is project coordinator. The project began Sept. 17, 2018, and the bridge was opened to traffic Oct. 12, 2021.
The existing steel truss bridge (known locally as the Green Bridge) was replaced by a webbed steel girder utilizing drilled shaft foundations. Drivers will benefit from new traffic signals, improved signage, striping and raised pavement markers that were included in the project. The roadway portion of the bridge widened lanes from 9 feet to 11 feet and added two bike lanes.
Prior to opening the full width of the new bridge, the concrete bridge deck will have one-half inch deep grooves milled into the surface at staggered intervals, only a few inches apart, designed to aid with drainage and skid resistance.
When the bridge deck and approaches are ready for their full width to be utilized, new thermoplastic pavement markings and traffic control signs will be installed, creating the eight-feet wide dividing buffer to separate opposing traffic lanes, and a four-feet wide bike lane traveling in each direction.
Clinton Mayor Scott Burton said street lighting on the new bridge will be operating soon, and the bridge handrails are being painted to match the color of the street light poles (green).
The current temporary plan for northbound traffic is using one left-turn lane, one straight through lane, and one right-turn lane. The permanent traffic plan has two exclusive left-turn lanes toward Oak Ridge, two straight through lanes onto South Main Street, and one exclusive right-turn lane toward Norris.
One sidewalk on the new bridge is now open and functional, on the northbound side. Two five-feet wide concrete sidewalks are a part of the project.
Once all these steps are complete, demolition of the old bridge may begin. Once demolition is complete, the construction of a new portion of Riverside Drive (including a new storm water drainage system) may begin. The existing piers for the old bridge are currently in the path of the new street.
This final work will include building a new section of the Lakefront Park walking trail and installing a new dock adjacent to the boat launch ramp.
The city of Clinton has numerous photos and descriptions of the new bridge construction here.
Story based on press release from Mark Nagi, Tennessee Department of Transportation, and City of Clinton website.