State bids Highway 141 slide project

By Eddie West Staff Writer

Repair work for a progressive slide area located on State Highway 141 in the Lancaster community is moving forward.

The repair work is included in the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s (TDOT) July 25 bid letting, with construction estimated to begin in August, TDOT officials say.

Meanwhile, the slide area, located along the Caney Fork River, is growing increasingly worse.

First detected in March, a section of State Highway 141/Lancaster Highway has given way almost to the yellow center dividing (lane) line near the DeKalb County line.

“Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) crews in Smith County are continuously monitoring the slide weekly to ensure safety,” a TDOT official said, Friday.

As of Friday, one lane of the road was open and portable stoplights were being used to regulate traffic flow.

However, TDOT officials say when repair work begins the entire road will be closed and motorists will have to detour around the closure.

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