The April data update from the National Association of Counties is the good, the bad and the ugly about bridges.
Here in Northeast Tennessee, there are 1,473 bridges that’s the good. It’s hard to get around without bridges.
The bad is 211 of those bridges are functionally obsolete.
The ugly is 101 are structurally deficient.
Carter county leads the region for the most structurally deficient bridges while Sullivan tops the list with the most bridges that are functionally obsolete.
The Washington Post ran a story with an interactive graphic that lets users pinpoint the problem bridges. You can find that map by CLICKING HERE
Some of the bridge woes will be resolved with the recently passed transportation funding reforms. The other side of that story is the local lawmakers who voted against the reforms are on the punishment list. At least that’s what former Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey says.
And yes, the reality of that is while the local no-voting lawmakers may be punished by their GOP colleagues in Nashville, local resident will pay the price.
Here’s a capsule look at the number of functionally obsolete bridges followed by the number that are structurally deficient from NACo.
Carter Co. – 26 – 36.
Johnson Co. – 18 – 7.
Hawkins Co. – 24 – 11.
Greene Co. – 35 – 7.
Sullivan Co. – 59 – 16.
Unicoi Co. – 11 – 17.
Washington Co. – 38 – 17.
Well, this is where the rubber meets the road, no pun intended Don Fenley. Thank you for this informative article. Alas, I do not find much comfort in the details though as one who lives in Carter County. At least the scab has been pulled off, and hopefully, this info can make its way to the rot beneath.