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Tennessee DOT outlines hurricane Helene response: 49 routes damaged, emergency contracts in place
Summary
Tennessee Department of Transportation officials told the House Transportation Committee Feb. 11 that Hurricane Helene caused widespread roadway and bridge damage across the state, that emergency contracting and the Transportation Modernization Act sped repairs, and that most damaged routes are now under contract while federal relief is pending.
Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) officials told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 11 that Hurricane Helene caused widespread, historic damage to roads and bridges across the state and that the department moved quickly to reopen corridors and put repairs under contract.
Commissioner Ealy told the committee, “We had 49 closures as a result of this storm in the aftermath of roadway. We had 42 of those open within days,” and said the Transportation Modernization Act “gave us the capability through alternative delivery mechanisms, expanded our ability to do things faster” and was central to the rapid response.
The committee heard a region-by-region briefing from TDOT’s senior staff. Chief Engineer Will Reed and the four regional directors described initial rescue support, bridge inspections, debris removal, and short-term…
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