ROGERSVILLE — During the Hawkins County Road Committee meeting Wednesday, county Road Superintendent Danny Jones told members that two bridges have been closed.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation is doing county bridge inspections, he said, and required the closings.
The Shanks Road Bridge, which goes over Big Creek is closed, and Sally Young Bridge in Surgoinsville is also closed.
“It was bad enough that they called me onsite while they were inspecting,†Jones said of Sally Young Bridge, “and wouldn’t leave until I had it closed.â€
There are 14 total bridges that are “poor†or “good†that need some repairs but do not need to be closed, Jones said. TDOT is still inspecting bridges in the county.
Other business
The committee unanimously decided to send an application process for the commission’s approval for anyone who wants to put a private water or sewer line that cuts across a road.
What they are hoping to be passed is an application form that the person would fill out, along with a set of regulations they must follow.
The regulations include ensuring the person is responsible for construction and traffic control, repair if there are problems after construction and they must follow the one-call law.
The one-call law means that anyone who is about to do construction or demolition must receive a locate ticket from TN811.
“I recommend option one, because it’s simple,†Jones said. Option one was to simply make people fill out the application.
However, District 2 Commissioner Jeff Barrett was worried there would not be enough regulations.
Mayor Mark DeWitte suggested sending the list of regulations for the commission’s approval, but those who want to extend a line across a road can fill out an application and it is up to Jones’ discretion to approve it.
The commission also unanimously approved a speed limit sign to be changed on Knox Hollow Road, starting from the intersection at Bear Hollow Road.
At the request of a citizen, they approved the change of a sign from 30 miles per hour, to 20.
