TDOT outlines Hurricane Helene recovery: most routes reopened, remaining rebuilds under contract

Tennessee Department of Transportation officials told the House Transportation Committee on Feb. 11 that Hurricane Helene caused widespread roadway and bridge damage across the state but that most routes were restored quickly and remaining rebuilds are under contract.

Commissioner Ealy, head of the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said the agency recorded 49 route closures after the storm, and 42 of those routes were reopened within days. He and regional directors described large-scale bridge damage, rapid inspections and use of alternative procurement tools to speed reconstruction. "Our people reacted with Hurricane Helene in a way that was unbelievable," Commissioner Ealy said during the presentation.

Committee members were shown video and heard regional updates that mapped damage and recovery actions. TDOT said 13 bridges were taken out by the storm; seven of those bridges had been reopened at the time of the hearing, and five are scheduled as full rebuilds under contract. The agency named the collapsed structure on State Route 107 over the Nolichucky River as one of the major losses; TDOT said a progressive design–build contract for that bridge was in place within 72 hours and the agency expects the replacement to be in…