Crews have started the process of repairing Highway 85 in Fentress and Overton Counties.
TDOT Spokeswoman Jennifer Flynn said the project will cost nearly $13 million as workers begin repairs in Fentress County.
” It will address 12 separate sites along Fentress and Overton Counties,” Flynn said. “That’s been a problem as the Overton section’s been closed since Feb. 23, roughly. So they’re going to do what they can to try and make those repairs, get this project rolling and get the road reopened.”
The roadway in Fentress County will be reduced to one lane for nearly two miles as work begins.
Flynn said Highway 85 has posed as a difficult task for crews in the past when it comes to roadwork.
“It is very unique because of so many different locations that have seen slope failures and settlements,” Flynn said. “State Route 85 has always been an engineering challenge, but this particular year there’s just been so much rain, it’s hit several locations. This one is kind of rare because of the number of sites that have to be repaired.”
TDOT bid the project to Wright Brothers Construction last month on an emergency contract. The roadway was damaged following heavy rainfall and flooding across the Upper Cumberland in February.
Flynn said the state expects repair work to be completed by this November.
