Bradley County road staff outline multiple projects; commissioners approve 2025 road list

At a Bradley County road meeting, staff provided updates on several local road projects and safety concerns, and the group voted to forward the county's 2025 road list to the full commission.

Road department staff member Josh said a geostabilization firm has inspected Maui Road and will submit a quote to widen the roadway and install guardrails. "They're giving us a quote on it," Josh said, adding the work could be expensive and that the department will wait on the firm's pricing before deciding next steps. He also said an earlier request to use state aid for a turnaround was referred to state aid and ultimately denied.

Josh told commissioners the Eagle Creek homeowners association and the developer appear to have resolved private-road issues and that county staff will check progress when paving begins. On Hollywood Hills Road, he said a 1971 survey places a portion of the county road in Georgia, which prevents the county from legally placing gravel on that segment without a resurvey and adjustment.

Pleasant Grove Bridge, closed since October 2024, is now fully funded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and Wright Brothers won the construction bid. "It's 100% funded by TDOT, and it's Wright Brothers that won the bid," Josh said; the contractor expects to start in the coming weeks and estimated two months to complete the project though it has up to six months under the contract.

Josh also said the state will fund installation of railroad gates at the Old Chattanooga Pike crossing and supply asphalt to assist repaving, citing safety concerns where trains travel at speed and sight distance is limited.

Commissioners approved two formal actions during the meeting. By voice vote they approved minutes from the Oct. 16 meeting. Later, Josh presented the Bradley County road list for 2025, which catalogs annexations, speed-limit changes and intake changes; a motion to approve the list and forward it to the full county commission was seconded and approved.

A public comment from resident Calvin Thompson highlighted a separate safety issue where a tow-truck owned by Yates Towing Company and driven by a Mr. Howard was repeatedly parked on the right of way in Rolling Brook Subdivision, blocking a driveway and creating hazards for buses and neighbors. Staff agreed to install 'No parking on the right of way' signs so the sheriff's office could enforce parking rules.

The meeting closed after brief discussion of budget projections and the striping/reflector program that used one-time funds; staff said the program produced notable improvements but future continuation will require county budget authority once the temporary funds end.

The 2025 road list will be sent to the full county commission for final action; several projects have state funding but local scheduling and final pricing remain pending.