The final phase of TDOT’s major infrastructure upgrades on State Route 53 in Jackson County finished on schedule.
TDOT Regional Communications Officer Rae Anne Bradley said the roadway is fully operational after crews met the May 22 completion deadline. Bradley said the final requirements are underway.
“At this point, all we’re waiting on is enough vegetation growth in some of the work areas so that we can consider the site fully stabilized,” Bradley said, “Which is a requirement to request the official notice of termination, I believe it’s called, for our environmental permits.”
Bradley said the contractor is currently finishing minor cleanup tasks and removing detour signs that remained after the road reopened. Bradley said the project team successfully navigated several hurdles, including water infiltrating the excavation site which resulted in several lost work days.
“But even with challenges like that, you know, the team stayed focused and were actually able to make up those lost days, delivering as promised and reopening the roadway in a very short timeframe and, like I mentioned earlier, also on schedule,” Bradley said.
Bradley said the project manager remains in constant coordination with inspectors and the contractor to finalize the remaining punch list items.
“I think once people saw, you know, during construction, how large the culvert sections or pieces were that the contractor had to install and then, you know, in turn how much earth had to be removed to get those culvert pieces installed, they were able to really get a sense of the scale of what we were trying to do and, more importantly, in what short of a timeframe we were trying to do it in,” Bradley said. “So, you know, now that the work is complete, it should provide drivers, you know, just passing through the area and locals alike, many, many years of service.”
Bradley said the 50-day full closure of the section near Hurricane Branch was a significant undertaking given the complexity and scope of the work. Bradley said the department prioritized a tight schedule to minimize the long-term impact on local residents and travelers.
“Our folks are doing hard work, they’re doing dangerous work and even with all of that, they were able to perform and deliver on time and on budget,” Bradley said. “And so I think that speaks to the high level of service that TDOT provides for drivers and our dedication to that.”
Bradley said the project team utilized specialized equipment to set the culvert pieces, some of which required minor on-site repairs during the installation process.
“I think selfishly, you know, I think we’re kind of splitting hairs because our folks did an amazing job, but selfishly, I think we might have given ourselves maybe just a little bit more breathing room in the schedule, like maybe an extra week or so,” Bradley said. “That would have given us some more time to set the culvert pieces.”
Bradley said the community response has been positive, with local drivers offering support to crews working on the site.
“We’ve, myself and our project manager, several of our operations folks have talked with several people, you know, passing through as well as locals and, you know, folks on-site have gotten several, you know, thumbs up from drivers passing by and even some that have stopped to give us some kind words and those have been great to hear,” Bradley said. “So it’s very clear to us that the community recognizes the importance of this work and the steps that we took to deliver this project quickly and safely and minimize impacts as much as we could through the construction process.”
