TDOT Cancels Contract On State Route 33 Bridge Project

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

After careful deliberation, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has canceled its contract with Mountain States Contractors, LLC, for the new bridge being built over the Clinch River on State Route 33 in Union County.

Changes to the project’s original designs for the bridge footings were necessary due to the geological conditions at the bottom of the river. TDOT determined that due to the large scale and cost associated with this change, the best plan of action would be to cancel the contract and open bidding for the remaining work.

The project is currently more than a third complete.

 TDOT is working to re-let the project as quickly as possible. A new completion date for the project will be established once a new contract is in place. 

The new bridge is being constructed adjacent to the existing bridge over the Clinch River on State Route 33.


Sobriety Checkpoints Set For May 31

The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office and East Ridge Police Department in a combined effort, will be conducting sobriety checkpoints on Friday, May 31.  The officers will be covering various highways, streets and roads throughout Hamilton County and the city of East Ridge.  These locations include but are not limited to Ringgold Road, Spring Creek Road, Frawley Road, Germantown ... (click for more)

Holiday Schedule Announced For Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority

Four Dalton-Whitfield Solid Waste Authority facilities will be closed on Monday, in observance of Memorial Day.  Locations include the Old Dixie Landfill and Convenience Center, McGaughey Chapel Convenience Center, Westside Convenience Center, and the M.L. King Convenience Center.  All locations will reopen on Tuesday, from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. For more information visit ... (click for more)

City Council Ad Hoc Committee To Study Moving Elections To August, Adding More Districts, Staggering Terms

City Council Vice Chairman Chip Henderson said Tuesday he will lead an ad hoc committee that will look into possibly increasing the number of council districts from the current term. The panel will also look at staggering the terms of council members, who are currently all elected at the same time, he said. Vice Chairman Henderson said the committee will also look into moving ... (click for more)

Chief Magistrate Russell Says Ables Should Have Waited To Sign Warrant For Teen Beer Bust

Officials in the Sheriff's Department said a warrant was not obtained early Saturday morning to go inside a house where over 20 allegedly beer-drinking teens were partying because a magistrate said he was about to get off duty and wouldn't wait over. Sgt. Robert Starnes said he was standing by a deputy who called Magistrate Larry Ables at 4:30 a.m. seeking the warrant ... (click for more)

Thanks, Sheriff

The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department is very responsive and professional out in Apison, and I appreciate that.  We have some fine deputies serving Hamilton County.    I took a minute to call and tell them thank you, I hope my neighbors will also. Brian Wood Apison (click for more)

Roy Exum: Please Send Me Funny Jokes

It has been about 25 years or so since I had the opportunity to visit every county in the state of Tennessee and, as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society at the time, I met cancer survivors and listened to their incredible stories. I remember one man in particular who had bone cancer and one night he said he rolled over in bed and literally broke his arm in a very simple ... (click for more)