TDOT to Weight Post State Route 33 Bridge in Union County

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation will post the State Route 33 Bridge in Union County to a 10 ton weight limit this week. TDOT bridge inspectors discovered an increase in deterioration under the bridge during an inspection last Friday and for the safety of the traveling public determined the bridge should be restricted to vehicles of 10 tons or less. Signs will be installed at the bridge Thursday afternoon, October 21. Tennessee Highway Patrol officers will be posted at the bridge to ensure motorists carrying heavy loads are utilizing the detour routes. Construction on a new replacement bridge is now underway and is estimated to be complete in 2012.

 

TDOT is continuing to look for ways to repair the bridge in order to raise the weight restrictions. The agency is also working with the Sharps Chapel community regarding student transport to and from Horace Maynard Middle and Union County High School. 

 

Each detour is approximately 70 miles long and will take about an hour and a half to travel. Commercial traffic detour information (Map is attached):

·         Southbound traffic on the north side of the bridge traveling to the Maynardville area should follow South US 25E in Tazewell to Bean Station and take South US 11W to Blaine and follow SR 61 West to Luttrell, take SR 131 South (Tazewell Pike) to SR 144 West (Ailor Gap Rd.) to SR 33 in Maynardville. 

·         Southbound traffic on the north side of the bridge traveling to the Knoxville area should follow South US 25E in Tazewell to Bean Station and take South US 11W to Blaine and continue on South US 11W to Interstate 40. 

·         Northbound traffic on the south side of the bridge in the Knoxville area should follow I-40 to North US 11W (Rutledge Pike) to Bean Station and take North US 25E to Tazewell.

·         Northbound traffic on the south side of the bridge in the Maynardville area should take SR 144 East (Ailor Gap Rd.) to SR 131 North (Tazewell Pike) to SR 61 in Luttrell and follow SR 61 East to North US 11W in Blaine. Follow North US 11W to Bean Station and take North US 25E to Tazewell.

 

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