Jones Bridge on Jones Bridge Road, State Route 350, is expected to reopen this morning, an event that will cut several minutes of driving time for many and help relieve traffic in the Asheville Highway.
A large section of roadway on the Greeneville side was washed away and a pile of debris nearly three stories high was left on the roadway. Fortunately, the approaching roadway just before the bridge where Moon Creek goes under the road was slightly lower than the bridge. That channeled much of the rushing waters around the end of the bridge and carried the tons of debris around instead of into and on the bridge, likely saving it from being washed away.
A large debris pile remains on the upstream side which will be removed by a private contractor.
Bird’s Bridge on Bird’s Bridge Road and Earnest Bridge on Chuckey Pike remain closed pending inspections. Bird’s Bridge was pushed downstream about 6″ and it is unknown if it can be put back in place. Earnest Bridge sustained large impacts by trees and high waters, and significant erosion occurred on the banks. The waters have remained too high and muddy for a complete inspection of the foundations.
