Commissioners ask mayor to request written TDOT assurance on Highway 116 repairs and maintenance

The Anderson County Operations Committee voted to ask the mayor to send a written request to the Tennessee Department of Transportation seeking confirmation of emergency funding and a written commitment to long-term maintenance for Highway 116.

Mayor Frank updated the committee that TDOT completed a 50-foot guardian wall repair and reopened two lanes on Feb. 17 and that the remaining section will require a larger reconstruction including rock buttressing or soil nails. The project is scheduled for a future bid letting. "They still have a remaining section to be repaired," the mayor said, adding TDOT indicated it has funding for the repairs.

Commissioners expressed frustration that parts of Highway 116 had deteriorated for years and pressed for proactive maintenance and written assurances. Commissioner Wandel moved that the mayor write a letter to TDOT requesting emergency funding be set aside for Highway 116 and a clear statement about long-term maintenance and ditch clearing; the motion passed unanimously.

The committee requested the letter explicitly request: written confirmation of current and planned repairs, a commitment to regular maintenance including ditch cleaning, and a documentable funding plan for future emergency repairs. The mayor said she will draft the letter and return it to the committee if commissioners want wording adjusted.