Cordell Hull Bridge to be inspected annually

By Eddie West Staff Writer

The Cordell Hull Bridge is now being inspected annually, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) officials say.

“Due to the age and condition of the steel members, the bridge’s superstructure must be inspected each year,” TDOT officials say.

Typically, bridges are only inspected by TDOT every two years.

Constructed in 1934, the bridge will be closed for various periods during the next two weeks.

“Beginning Monday, June 9, through Friday, June 13, the bridge will be closed daily from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for crews to remove vegetation in preparation for the inspection, according to TDOT officials. “This work may be completed as early as Thursday, June 12. The routine bridge inspection will occur the following week, closing the bridge daily from Monday, June 16, until Friday, June 20.”

As is the case with all inspection projects, hours and dates are subject to change because of inclement weather and other reasons.

Meanwhile, there will be some anxious moments for Carthage city officials, downtown business owners and motorists who routinely cross the bridge

During this month’s June council meeting, Carthage Vice Mayor Anthony Hackett alerted council members of the closure, noting  “people were shopping and eating downtown again”.

The vice mayor went on to describe the bridge as a life-line to the downtown area.

 TDOT is calling the inspection “routine”, however there is always uncertainty when examining a structure which was constructed in 1934.

A message board went up on Monday (June 2) of last week saying the bridge would be closed  from Monday, June 9, through Friday, June 16, and the following week Monday, June 16 through Friday, June 20.

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