The Gay Street Bridge is in “critical condition”; several steel parts are deformed and shifted, which could lead to “local failures,” according to an inspection report by the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
While the bridge’s deck is in good condition, the same cannot be said for its superstructure – the complex network of green steel parts beneath the deck.
TDOT advised the city of Knoxville, which owns and operates the bridge, to close it to all vehicles and pedestrians after a warped piece of steel was discovered during a routine annual inspection on June 25. The city extended the closure after TDOT released its report, and officials will continue to analyze the problems before determining a cost and schedule for repairs.
“Our goal is to restore the bridge and return it to its original condition, but to do so we must conduct the necessary analyses,” said Tom Clabo, the city’s engineering director, at a press conference on August 12.
Of particular concern to TDOT and the city are the deformed sections on the first full span from the south bank of the Tennessee River.
The report did not provide any explanation as to how this deterioration could have occurred within one year of the last annual inspection.
Increase in traffic expected on the Gay Street Bridge
When the bridge is open, about 7,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily, Clabo said. The TDOT report put daily traffic at 6,215 vehicles in 2021 and predicts that number will rise to 14,256 vehicles by 2041, underscoring the urgency of repairs.
The 126-year-old bridge was closed for renovation work between December 2001 and April 2004. Clabo declined to comment on whether this closure could last for several years.
TDOT engaged Michael Baker International as an inspection consultant to create models to determine the weight-bearing strength of the bridge.
The full inspection was completed on July 2. The city is currently negotiating with the engineering consulting firm to conduct another study, Clabo said.
Bridge problems are difficult to detect from a distance
The bridge’s deformed steel members are not visible from a distance, although a detailed TDOT inspection report includes more than 150 pages of images of every part of the structure.
During the inspection, it was found that in addition to the parts of the second bridge span that were shifted by up to 4.4 centimeters, there were also loose bolts and nuts as well as rusting parts spread across the entire bridge.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focusing on technology and energy. Phone: 423-637-0878. Email: [email protected].
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