New Bridge Being Explored in Hamilton County
Hamilton County, a rapidly growing area in Tennessee, might be getting a new bridge between Soddy-Daisy and Birchwood. Officials are studying the economic feasibility of the project, thanks to a 200 thousand dollar grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
An Old Idea Revisited
Previously, TDOT proposed a toll bridge near the Sequoyah Nuclear Power Plant. At the time, the state agency found the project infeasible. However, with the significant population growth on both sides of the Tennessee River, county leaders now believe the bridge is necessary.
Currently, accessibility is limited between Soddy-Daisy and Birchwood. Drivers have to go down to Highway 153 on the Thrasher Bridge or all the way up to Highway 60 across the Tri-County Veterans Bridge. The new proposed bridge would significantly reduce travel time and boost connectivity in the northern part of the county.
The Potential Benefits of the New Bridge
Director of Development Services, Nathan Janeway, explained the rationale behind the idea. He said, “Obviously as we continue to grow, we’re going to continue to grow north because we don’t have much room to grow east or west, and so it’s going to be more and more important some sort of access in northern part of the county from east to west, not just for residents, but for emergency access, bus routes, everything, so that’s what we’re trying to accomplish here, just figure out how that might look.”
The benefits of a new bridge would be substantial, providing a crucial transportation link for residents, emergency service routes, and bus routes. The construction of a new bridge would also serve as an economic driver for the region, providing jobs during construction and improving transportation efficiency in the region once completed.
What’s Next?
The feasibility study for the project is expected to take 5 to 6 months. Should it conclude that the bridge is viable, the construction would still be several years away. As such, while the new bridge presents plenty of potential benefits, patience will be required by residents of Hamilton County as the study proceeds and the proposed plan is put into action.
This development marks an important juncture in Hamilton County’s growth and planning for the future, demonstrating the commitment of local officials to improving infrastructure in response to the increasing population and development in the region.
