TDOT Awards Contract to Repair Historic Cordell Hull Bridge
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 | 10:32am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation has awarded a construction contract for a project to repair the historic Cordell Hull Bridge in Smith County. The $9.5 million contract was awarded to Mid-State Construction Company, Inc., which is based in Livingston, TN.
The Cordell Hull Bridge has been closed to traffic since December 2007, after a routine inspection by TDOT bridge inspectors found significant deterioration to the bridge’s steel truss, spans, and connections. Since that time, TDOT has worked with members of the Tennessee General Assembly, the City of Carthage and Smith County to develop rehabilitation plans for the bridge.
“There are very few of these steel truss bridges remaining across the state,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We worked with a company that specializes in restoring truss bridges to develop this project and we are confident it will be able to serve this area for years to come once the project is complete.”
The project consists of removing and replacing the concrete bridge deck in all truss spans, replacing the bridge rails for the full length of the bridge, performing various structural steel repairs and bearing replacements, as well as concrete repairs on the bridge piers. The structural steel will also be blast cleaned and completely repainted. The project will likely get underway in approximately six weeks, and is scheduled to be complete by November 2013.
“This bridge is an important piece of Smith County’s history, and its preservation has been a top priority of mine for a number of years,” said Senator Mae Beavers. “I thank TDOT for making this important investment.”
“For decades, the Cordell Hull Bridge has provided a vital link into Carthage and to other major traffic routes in the area,” added Representative Terri Lynn Weaver. “Thanks to a strong partnership with TDOT and local officials, we will be able to restore this important transportation link.
The Cordell Hull Bridge, which opened to traffic in 1936, and was named for former U.S. Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who once lived in Carthage, TN.
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For more information:
B.J. Doughty
TDOT Public Information Manager
Office 615-350-4302
Mobile 615-714-8556