Greene County Mayor Kevin Morrison is hopeful Bird’s Bridge will be open again around the end of the month, but he says waiting on construction of Easterly Bridge to even begin remains a frustratingly painful process.
EASTERLY BRIDGE
Morrison says all the requirements which were waived for the rebuild of the state owned Kinser Bridge on Highway 107 have not been waived for the Easterly Bridge project on Poplar Springs Road, which basically remains untouched since September a year ago. The mayor says the project is at least now in the design and engineering phase but a timetable for even beginning the rebuild is not yet known. Morrison told the Budget and Finance Committee the frustration and anxiety remains, but again assured residents the bridge will be rebuilt but the process is going to be painfully and frustratingly slow.
BIRDS BRIDGE
The mayor hopes Bird’s Bridge will open around Halloween. The state discovered previously unseen issues during the bridge renovation, which are currently being addressed.
CONWAY BRIDGE
The mayor also says Conway Bridge, which joins Greene and Cocke County in Western Greene County will also be rebuilt, according to Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis. The State of Tennessee and FEMA earlier approved $7.89 million to replace that bridge which crossed the Nolichucky River before being destroyed by the September 2024 floodwaters. That historic 414 foot long concrete bridge was built in 1924.
