Fore Note: The interstate repairs are causing about as many traffic problems locally as was expected. The sheriff's department is working certain intersections to prohibit 18 wheelers from entering but they can't be everywhere. Hopefully, the repairs will be done ahead of schedule.
Bridge repair on I-75 causes delays in Loudon County
 

LOUDON COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — For the next two weeks the Tennessee Department of Transportation will be repairing the I-75 bridge over the Tennessee River near mile marker 74 in Loudon County.

“We’ve been lucky we didn’t really get stuck in any traffic along the way until this one,” said Michael Griesbach. 
 
Griesbach and his wife were on a road trip when they hit the beginning of the traffic for this area. While TDOT said this is a relatively small repair, crew members will be working around the clock, and drivers should expect delays.
 
“What we’re doing is they’re installing a splice plate, which basically is going to be there with the two steel girders connect. This is something that we have done before over bridges and it’s really not that much out of the norm,” said TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi.  
 
The repairs that started Saturday evening prompted them to close the right southbound lane on I-75 over the bridge, and they are expected to wrap up by November 2.
 
“These are typical bridge repairs that we do,” said Nagi. “We do these type of things all across the state and anybody’s going to be driving on I-75 South and Loudon County is going to have to know that there are going to be some back up at times especially during some of those peak travel hours.” 
 
Even if you’re not driving during peak hours, they ask travelers to be aware of their surroundings. 
 

“When you’re driving down, I-75 and closer to mile marker 74 which is approximately 7 miles from the 40/75 split at the Loudon-Knox County line. Make sure that you are slowing down using extreme caution for the safety of these workers,” said Nagi.  
Nagi said one of the reasons this repair is happening now is because of Tennessee football, and they are working to finish in time for those traveling for their November 2 game. In the meantime, they ask to give yourself time before hitting the road 
 
“If you got Waze or if you have another app that can reroute you give you an alternate route that should save you some time,” said Griesbach. “Otherwise I’ll probably leave a little bit early and be prepared for at least a half hour delay. 

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10/23/24