$2 million bridge construction

By Eddie West

Staff Writer

Construction on a two million dollar bridge replacement project is expected to begin soon in the Four Way Inn community.

The project includes construction of a new Old Kemp Hollow Lane Bridge and approaches crossing  Peytons Creek.

The construction project was awarded to Dement Construction Company at $2,079,001 in February. Dement Construction, a Jackson based construction company, placed the low bid on the project.

Highway officials and representatives with the construction company were expected to meet this month in preparation for construction work to begin.

While the bridge belongs to the county, the entire cost of the project will be paid for through state transportation department funds.

Funding is being paid through TDOT’s “State Aid Roads” division, specifically under its “Bridge Grant” program.

Because the bridge has been condemned, the replacement project is listed as a “high priority” with the state transportation department.

As a “high priority”, steps required to construct a replacement bridge are taking place at a faster pace than typical construction projects which are years in the making.

The county received seven bids on the project, ranging from slightly more than two million dollars to just over three million dollars.

Two of the seven bids topped three million dollars.

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