Board authorizes bridge inspection after dryer delivery route raises safety and permitting concerns

Valerie told the board that a portion of the biosolids dryer delivery originally scheduled for mid‑August raised permitting and structural concerns because Blanton Drive bridge had not been on inspection lists and construction drawings lacked as‑built calculations. She said the dryer truck and trailer measure about 150 feet and that a single dryer load is about 232,000 pounds.

Because bridges commonly are not designed for that concentrated load, staff proposed having SSR perform an inspection and load-rating to determine whether the bridge can handle the delivery or whether an alternate plan is required. Valerie said staff would issue a letter to the contractor assigning responsibility for damages but would fund the inspection and rating to keep the project moving. She also noted an alternative easement route across Ford property from Broad Street to the plant if the bridge cannot be used; that option would require building a temporary road or other works to distribute axle loads.

The board moved to authorize a task order for SSR to inspect and provide a load rating for the bridge; the motion passed by voice vote. Valerie said staff had contacted the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), which initially considered the structure a private bridge; staff provided documentation showing the bridge serves a state right-of-way and asked TDOT to add it to routine inspections going forward.