KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A roadway in Sevier County fully reopened Wednesday after a bridge was washed out due to heavy rains earlier this year.

TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi shared on Oct. 26 that the Jones Cove Road bridge was back open after being closed for three months. He added that crews will still be in the area, removing detours signs and finishing the final cleanup.

Left: July 2022, Right: October 2022 (Photos via Mark Nagi)

In July, heavy rains caused the bridge to collapse. The closure sent drivers on a lengthy detour, with some drivers telling WATE that it added 30 minutes to their commute. TDOT began calling for bids for an emergency contract to repair the collapse. Because the bridge was a box bridge, it needed to be completely replaced.

Asphalt sliding off Jones Cove Road Bridge
Pavement snapped across Jones Cove Road bridge
Bridge fully fallen through at Jones Cove Road
Crumbling asphalt with side beam of bridge Jones Cove Road

Charles Blalock & Sons, Inc, submitted the lowest bid, $997,178.04, and was awarded the contract. The project began on Friday, Aug. 12. TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi said they expected one lane of the bridge to open in mid-November with both lanes opening at the end of 2022, however construction work went much faster.

On October 6, Nagi shared a photo of the work’s progress, showing that the work was moving quickly.

Concrete poured for repairs on Jones Cove Road bridge. (TDOT)

Prior to the collapse, the bridge was in need of repair. WATE discovered the bridge was the second lowest-rated bridge in Sevier County. The National Bridge Registry gave the bridge a score of 22.9 out of 100 following an inspection on August 19, 2021.