NASHVILLE, Tenn., -- Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. (SSR) was recently selected to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) oversight for a bridge-replacement project in Carter County, funded entirely by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The intent of the stimulus bill is to start construction as soon as possible on ‘shovel ready’ projects so that unemployed workers are put back on the job,” said David Donoho, director of the transportation division for SSR. “Of those, SSR is fortunate to provide services for this important Tennessee-based roadway initiative.”

With Governor Bredesen in attendance, a groundbreaking for the TDOT bridge-replacement was held in late April. The 70-year-old steel truss bridge, located on the Watauga River in Carter County, is currently rated as structurally deficient and functionally obsolete because of its restricted load capacity and limited one-lane access. The $1.5 million project will replace the existing bridge with a redesigned two-lane bridge that can withstand an increased load capacity. Construction on the project has already begun and its completion is slated for August of 2010.

 In addition to Carter County project, SSR was also selected to provide CEI oversight services for a federally funded roadway project located in Williamson County. Because traffic on this two-lane road is becoming increasingly restricted due to left-hand turns, SSR will oversee the widening of a 1.3 mile section of Concord Road between Edmondson Pike and Sunset Boulevard into three lanes with a designated bike lane. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is scheduled to open bids on this project on June 12, with construction scheduled to begin in July or August of this year.

 For more information regarding projects related to the ARRA, visit www.recovery.gov.