Construction on the new State Route 29 (U.S. 27) bridge over State Route 61 is moving along right on track, marking a significant milestone this week as crews officially began setting bridge beams.

On Tuesday, contractors started the delicate process of lifting and positioning massive 52-foot beams, each weighing more than 22 tons, into place using heavy-duty cranes.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), work will progress in distinct phases over the coming weeks:

• Current Phase: Crews are installing beams between the bridge abutments and support bents.

• Next Week: Installation will shift to the larger span beams.

• Upcoming Steps: Once the beams are secured, crews will prepare the bridge deck, pour the concrete, and begin fill operations to raise the roadway about seven feet to meet the new bridge’s elevation.

The bridge replacement is a key piece of TDOT’s Three-Year Bridge Replacement Program, an initiative aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure across Tennessee.

October 2025: The old bridge was closed, and a detour was put in place. November 2026: The project is on schedule for full completion, weather permitting.

Motorists are advised to remain cautious, expect periodic construction activity, and stay alert when driving through the active work zone.