Drainage Issue Closes Cookeville’s 13th Street

The eastbound lane of East 13th Street in Cookeville is closed between North Dixie Avenue and Maddux Avenue due to drainage issues.

Public Works Director Mary Beth Elrod said there is a drainage channel along East 13th Street that has eroded the pavement at the Maddux Avenue intersection. Elrod said one lane of the road will remain open and traffic controllers will direct motorists to minimize the closure’s impact on those in the area.

“The pavement has a hole under it from water erosion that’s washed out under the street and it’s no longer safe for traffic,” Elrod said. “We found out about this today and we immediately did the emergency lane closure and the crews will be repairing that in the morning so we can get traffic back on the roadway.”

Elrod said erosion like this varies in severity but is common all over the city. Elrod said the repairs should be completed by the end of the day on Wednesday at the latest.

“It appears it could have happened steadily over time,” Elrod said. “But sometimes, when we open up the ditch, sometimes we find out there is some kind of underground utility line that the water ran along and was able to erode it quicker than normal.”

Elrod said in order to fix the issue they will cut up the failing pavement, dig to the bottom of the eroded area, fill it to the proper level, compact the rock, and then pave the section with asphalt patching.

“It just happens regularly,” Elrod said. “We usually have stuff pop up like this after large rain events, flood events, at least weekly.”

Elrod said they want everyone to be aware of the closure so they can adjust their routes as needed for the next day or so.

“This area is mostly residential and apartments, maybe some Tech students,” Elrod said.