Carter County Highway Superintendent gives update on Helene progress

ELIZABETHTON — The Carter County Highway Department reported that it had a busy October as it works to make repairs and replacements to roads and bridges that were damaged by Hurricane Helene. Highway Superintendent Shannon Burchett gave a report on the progress on Monday night, when the Highway Committee of the Carter County Commission held its monthly meeting. Burchett said his crews paved several roads where flood repairs had been made. Those paving projects were on Ralph Stanley Road, Rachel Clawson Road, River Road, Edgewater Road, Riverview Drive, and Journey's End. The work crews have also installed new pipes on three road: Willard Perkins Road, Wiliam Brewer Road, and Garrison Road. Burchett also gave an update on the work being done on Shell Creek Road. He said the project is now 75% complete. He said all boxes and pipes have been installed. All the National Resources Conservation Service projects are complete. Burchett told the committee that if the weather permits it in November, the paving will begin in Mid November. Burchett also provided several updates on the many projects that are currently up for bid or recently awarded. There were four road projects that will be awarded after Nov. 6. These include Heaton Creek Road, Hampton Creek Road, Laurel Highlands Drive, and the Long Hollow Bridge repair. Eight more road projects will be opened in November. There were also updates on some bridges. The Long Hollow Bridge Bid will be awarded after Nov. 6. The Estep Bridge is currently out for bid. One other bridge project is the White Oak Bridge. It is unique because its damage was not caused by Hurricane Helene. It is being refloored. Finally. Burchett gave the committee an update on road projects which have been to the Federal Emergency Management Agency and are now awaiting drawdowns at the state level. In Group 8, was Big Cove Creek Road, Burbank Road, and Doe Lane. In Group 9, was Bear Cage Road, Blevins Road, Harrison Street Hollow, Hershel Julian Road; Hogum Hollow, McKinney Hollow Road, McMahan, and Gibbs Road. Shell Creek Road is with FEMA, Mitigation, the Schaus Senior Project manager, and additional Highway Department evaluations. Over a million more additional funding was found. Group 11 is Sugar Hollow Road. Group 15 is Howard Lipford Drive and Journey's End.