CHURCH HILL, Tenn. (WJHL) — The Goshen Valley Road bridge is among 77 structurally deficient, now more commonly referred to as “poorly ranked,” bridges in the region by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).
The list includes bridges in seven counties of Northeast Tennessee rated as poor and critical bridges. According to TDOT, the critical bridges are currently closed.
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TDOT spokesperson Mark Nagi told News Channel 11 that structurally deficient bridges like the Goshen Valley Road bridge are not unsafe to drive on, but that a part has been deemed to be in poor condition.
“The big thing to stress here is that TDOT will not allow any bridge, any roadway, whatever it may be to be open if we feel that it presents a danger to the motoring public,” Nagi said.
Amid concerns with the Goshen Valley Road bridge, people believe the county government has failed to maintain the bridge and fear there’s a safety risk.
Bill Killen, a county resident, shares these worries. He’s been watching what’s unfolded with the bridge after first learning about the bridge’s condition when consulting the Goshen Valley Volunteer Fire Department .