Overton’s Carr Creek Bridge Construction Going As Planned

Overton County Highway Superintendent James Norrod said construction of the new Carr Creek Bridge is going as scheduled.

“The Carr Creek Bridge project is going along really well. It has been demolitioned and the bridge is gone,” Norrod said. “Some caissons are drilled. Some steel is in the holes. I am really pleased with the way it is going.”

The new federally funded concrete bridge will stretch 220 feet over Carr Creek. Norrod said right now workers are drilling holes for the steel support beams.

“I am not exactly sure the diameter, but they drill probably 36 inch holes all the way to solid rock and then some on these piers,” Norrod said. “Make sure we have a good solid foundation to hold the bridge up.”

Norrod said the only issue construction crews have faced is water leaking into the deep holes. In order to be effective while drilling, Norrod said the ground must be dry.

“They were not drilling in the water but was drilling near it,” Norrod said. “Those cracks and rocks and things, it just bleeds over. They just needed to get it dried up to clean it out.”

The total cost is just over $1.6 million with Twin K Construction performing the work. The project is funded through TDOT’s High Priority Bridge Replacement Program. HPBRP provides funding for priority bridges not located on the State system of highways for local governments meeting requirements.

Drivers trying to cross Carr Creek must use East McCormick Road or Highway 84 as a detour. The bridge is expected to open in April.