Tennessee Department of Transportation representatives joined state and local officials Wednesday morning to formally open the new bridge on State Route-286 over the Barren Fork River in McMinnville, known to locals as the Westwood Bridge. The new concrete bridge replaces an 80-year old high steel truss bridge that, at only 20 feet wide, was too narrow to adequately handle today’s traffic volumes. In September 2009, TDOT began construction of the new structure, which was designed in-house by TDOT Structures Division personnel and is approximately 800 feet long and 44 feet wide with sidewalks on both sides.
“I am pleased to be here today to represent Deputy Governor Gerald Nicely,” said TDOT Region Two Director Ray Rucker. “We are extremely happy with the way this project has turned out, and we want to thank the contractor for doing such a quick and efficient job and the citizens of McMinnville for being patient while this project was under construction.”
Also present at today’s event were Senator Eric Stewart and Representative Judd Matheny, who were instrumental in getting funding to move this project forward.
“This is a great day for the citizens of McMinnville,” said Senator Stewart. “I am pleased to be here to help celebrate the opening of the new bridge, which will improve access and safety along this busy corridor.”
The contractor on the $4.1 million project is Simpson Construction Co. of Cleveland, Tennessee. The project had an original completion date of May 31, 2011, but the contractor was able to complete the project early. For the early completion, the contractor will receive a full incentive bonus of $210,000.
Simpson Construction is also the contractor for another important bridge project currently underway in McMinnville. The $5.4 million project to replace the bridge on SR-56 over the Barren Fork River, locally known as the Beersheba Street Bridge, is slated for completion by the end of 2011.
