TDOT works to dismantle bridges, dig up ground

TDOT works to dismantle bridges, dig up ground

By WHITNEY HOLMES
6 News Anchor/Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Within three minutes of the closure of Interstate 40 through downtown Knoxville, 150 workers began on the final phase of the SmartFIX 40 Project.

"It was a flurry of activity to get a head start," says Steve Borden, assistant regional director for the state Department of Transportation (TDOT).

TDOT's first order of business is to dismantle five bridges to make way for nine new ones.

Crews aren't demolishing the structures. Instead, crews are taking them apart by hand.

"They are using large track hoes and hammers and they are actually beating the bridge and they will be lifting the bridges off shortly," Borden explains.

Crews also began digging up 40,000 cubic yards of dirt, rock, and pavement using a pavement breaker brought in from the Western U.S. This machine will speed up the process by five days.

The old pavement will be used for future projects.

"They have a large machine that grinds up old asphalt," Borden says. "They take that back to their plant and will reuse and recycle it on our roadways."

TDOT hopes to finish this initial stage of the project within a couple of weeks.

The completed phase of SmartFIX will include nine new bridges, 14 retaining walls and I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes. Also, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be built.