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Bluff City approves task order to relocate water line for State Route 44 bridge project
Summary
The Bluff City Board of Aldermen approved Task Order No. 6 to relocate a city-owned water line at the State Route 44 crossing of Morell Creek so the Tennessee Department of Transportation can proceed with a bridge replacement; the relocation and city labor are expected to be fully reimbursed by TDOT.
The Bluff City Board of Aldermen voted to approve Task Order No. 6 to relocate a municipal water line where State Route 44 spans Morell Creek so the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) can proceed with a planned bridge replacement.
Town Manager Christa Morris told the board that TDOT notified the town this winter and that the task order — prepared with engineering firm Madden and Craig — is needed because the water line is Bluff City property and must be moved before the bridge work. "This is 100% from TDOT," Morris said, referring to reimbursement for the relocation and related labor.
An engineer from Madden and Craig, identified only as Austin in the meeting, said the task order covers the consultant scope through construction and reiterated that the firm expects the relocation work to be reimbursable by TDOT. Board members asked for clarification about the crossing location and timing; staff said the bridge sits where the creek intersects State Route 44 and gave scheduling estimates that included dates mentioned in the meeting (references to December 26 and March 27–28 were described as tentative). Morris told the board Bluff City must approve the task order by March 2 to secure reimbursement from the state.
Several members pressed staff on why the board had not been informed earlier about the TDOT plan; a member noted Sullivan County Commissioners approved related work in April 2023. Morris said the town became aware when emails were forwarded in late January and moved quickly to have Madden and Craig prepare the task order. She also said staff will keep a spreadsheet and supporting documentation to track city labor and costs so the town can seek reimbursement when work occurs.
Vice Mayor Adams moved to approve the task order and Alderman Johnson seconded. The vote was recorded in the meeting as yes votes from Alderwoman Payne, an additional Alderman whose name was announced in the meeting as "Alderman," Vice Mayor Adams and Alderman Johnson; the motion carried and Task Order No. 6 was approved.
The board then opened a second public comment period but received no speakers and adjourned. The approval authorizes staff to proceed with the task order and to coordinate with TDOT and Madden and Craig on the water-line relocation; officials said they will return with documentation as work progresses.
