Following the reopening of the Ernest Bridge on Chuckey Pike Tuesday night, Bird’s Bridge on the Old Asheville Highway is the last remaining bridge yet to reopen in Greene County, among those that weren’t destroyed by the floods of Hurricane Helene.
The bridge was shifted six to twelve inches off its base, but Greene County Highway Superintendent Kevin Swatsell said back in October that inspection had revealed that the bridge would most likely be salvageable. At that time, Swatsell said there are companies that specialize in either lifting or moving bridges back into place. Another possibility would be lifting the bridge and building new supports and attachments. The exact method of repair will be determined later.
The north end abutment sustained some damage due to rushing waters, but the piers which support the bridge were not damaged by debris. Due to the lay of the land around Jones Bridge, tons of debris were pushed to the side of the main channel of the river, which may have saved bridges downstream, and perhaps even the Nolichuckey Dam.
The other county owned bridge on Poplar Springs Road was destroyed by the floods. Conway Bridge off Fish Hatchery Road was also destroyed, but although it straddles the Greene/Cocke County line, that bridge is owned by Cocke County, which will be responsible for the cost of replacement.
Three county roads still remain impacted by the floods. A bank along Brown’s Bridge road was washed away, and that road remains closed. Part of G’Fellers Road was also damaged. Swatsell said repairs had been made but the road was closed pending paving. And Pates Hill Road is passable to local traffic, but received heavy damaged along a mile long stretch.
The Ernest Bridge on Chuckey Pike reopened Tuesday night with one lane of traffic and traffic control devices.
