Bridge built in 1936 spanning the White, Putnam County line to be replaced
WHITE COUNTY – The Roberts Matthews Highway (South Jefferson Avenue) Bridge over Falling Water River at the White and Putnam County line will be temporarily closed beginning on Monday, Dec. 2. This closure is necessary so construction crews can replace the current bridge structure. The roadway will remain closed until completion of the project, which is anticipated to take approximately six months.
South Jefferson Avenue will be closed south of Lovelady Road on the Putnam County side and Roberts Matthews Highway will be closed north of Lancaster Road on the White County side. Highway 111 will be marked as a detour route around the construction area.
Motorists are encouraged to use caution in the area as this work is taking place and to pay close attention to construction and detour signage.
The contractor for the $1.4 – million project is Summers-Taylor, Inc. of Elizabethton, and the estimated project completion date is May 29, 2020. The project is funded under a contract with the state of Tennessee Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.