NASHVILLE—Governor Phil Bredesen announced today that federal and state aeronautics grants totaling $1.3 million have been approved for six Tennessee airports.

 

“Our local airports are vital to the economy and travel system of Tennessee,” said Bredesen. “Investing in our airports helps keep them competitive and efficient at meeting the needs of businesses and travelers.”

 

NASHVILLE – Construction on the final section of State Route 840 is set to begin. Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely awarded a construction contract on the final portion of State Route 840 on Friday, February 19.  The award comes after careful analysis of the eleven qualifying bids opened on February 5.  Eubank Asphalt Paving & Sealing of Charlotte, TN submitted the low bid of $55.1 million, and will begin construction of the road in the coming weeks. The project includes the construction of SR 840 from just west of Bending Chestnut Road to west of Leipers Creek Road in Williamson County, as well as the paving of SR 840 from SR 100 to SR 46 (Pinewood Road).

 

“This is a real milestone for the department of Transportation,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “The completion of State Route 840 will improve access to communities in the mid-state, provide increased economic growth potential, and give motorists a convenient alternate route around Nashville.”

 

 

NASHVILLE – Twenty-four Lauderdale County citizens put on their hard hats and safety vests and hit the roads today as new employees of the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The new TDOT hires are part of Governor Phil Bredesen’s initiative to reduce unemployment in Lauderdale County by using Recovery Act funds to create job opportunities. The plan calls for the creation of 175 jobs, including 50 new Highway Maintenance workers at TDOT.

 

KNOXVILLE– Motorists who normally travel State Route 92 in Jefferson County will need to find an alternate route beginning Monday, March 1, 2010. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is replacing the State Route 92 Bridge over the French Broad River in Dandridge for repairs. 
 

 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Work continues to progress on the stabilization and clearing of the rockslide along US64 at Mile Marker 17 in Polk County. Construction crews with TDOT’s emergency contractor on the site, Charles Blalock & Sons, and blasting sub-contractor Dyno Nobel, set off a number of blasts along the eastern side of the slide area this weekend to address the instability of the large 22 ft. diagonal shelf near TVA Ocoee 2 Dam. Today the contractor drilled more holes along the eastern slope in preparation for another round of blasting scheduled for Wednesday.

 

Knoxville, Tenn. – In their first week of work, TDOT’s emergency repair contractor, Charles Blalock and Sons, Incorporated, has been able to maintain an aggressive schedule despite inclement weather conditions.

 

Contractors have used 54 rock dowels reinforced with grout to secure the rock slope. Crews have also drilled ten footings to place four “H” piles, which were secured by concrete, to begin the foundation of what will become a retaining wall. 

NASHVILLE – Tennessee will receive $55.3 million in federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants for two rail projects in the state. The US DOT announced $1.5 billion in federal TIGER grant funds for more than 50 projects across the U.S. on Wednesday, the one year anniversary of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which funds the competitive TIGER grants.

 

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen today announced the Small Business Administration is making Economic Injury Disaster Loans available in Polk County and three adjacent Tennessee counties – Bradley, McMinn and Monroe – as well as for two counties in Georgia (Fannin and Murray) and one in North Carolina (Cherokee). The assistance comes in response to Bredesen’s request for federal aid following a rock slide that closed U.S. Highway 64 on November 10, 2009.

 

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation has obligated 100% of the $572 million in Highway Infrastructure Investment funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act two weeks ahead of the March 1 deadline required under the Act. TDOT received approval of its last project Tuesday on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the Recovery Act. Tennessee is one of the first states to obligate 100% of Recovery Act funds for highway infrastructure. 

 

“I appreciate the work of the Department of Transportation and its local and regional partners in reaching this important milestone for the Recovery Act in Tennessee,” said Governor Phil Bredesen. “This accomplishment ensures that all of our Recovery Act dollars for highway infrastructure will stay in Tennessee for needed improvements that will continue to boost local economies.”

 

Additional Blasting Scheduled on West Slope 

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation’s emergency contractor, Charles Blalock & Sons, is working today to break-up some of the large boulders located along the river bank and on the boat ramp near TVA Ocoee 2 Dam from the rockslide that occurred on November 10, 2009. The contractor is using explosives to break up some of the large boulders on the bank, some of which were the size of large semi-trucks. Crews are also drilling 60 holes along the slope east of the rockslide site as they prepare for more blasting scheduled for later this week.