While the reopening of Kinser Bridge on Friday will mark a milestone in the recovery from Hurricane Helene, work continues on repairing county roads, bridges and water systems.
The Chuckey Utility District lost one of their main supply line that had been attached to the side of the Kinser Bridge. As a temporary solution, a 12-inch heavy-duty plastic line was constructed and laid across the bed of the Nolichucky River to help supply the district’s 2,000 customers. The pipe sections are fused together into a strong and flexible line that measures nearly 3/4 mile in length.
Utility Manager Tyson Lamb said the pipe has always been a temporary measure until bridge construction was complete and the district could install a permanent replacement. And while the temporary pipeline restored service to customers, it hasn’t been without challenges in recent months.
The pipeline runs along a gravel road, crosses the river via an island where it is buried, and re-emerges on the south side to connect with existing lines. Rushing waters earlier this year shifted the pipe out of its location, but did not break it. The 1-inch-thick plastic is as strong as steel, Lamb said, but flexible enough to withstand the flowing river, even in very high and rushing water.
Lamb said a small leak was recently discovered in the pipe, and crews have been evaluating the best repair strategy. A repair clamp was placed on the leak, but didn’t completely fix the problem. Options include inserting a smaller pipe inside the existing one or patching the leak externally. Those repairs are expected to keep the line functional until a permanent replacement is installed. Lamb said the utility is consulting with engineers and contractors to determine the best way forward.
Lamb said bids for the new permanent line will go out in June. Options include boring under the river—similar to the method used to replace the destroyed pipe at Ernest Bridge on Chuckey Pike—or suspending the pipe under the new Kinser Bridge, which was the approach used previously.
In the meantime, Lamb said the system continues to provide an adequate water supply to all customers. He cautioned that while repairs are underway, some customers—particularly in outlying areas and higher elevations—may experience periods of low water pressure.
Lamb said any interruptions should be brief, and he hopes the small leak can be quickly repaired. A backup plan is ready, he added, in case the leak proves larger, harder to reach, or more difficult to repair than expected.
