The Carter County Highway Department had another
busy year in 2004. On September 17 and 18, Carter County experienced
hard rains causing another flood, which in no way compared to
the flood of 1998, but approximately $231,087 of damage was
done to roads and bridges.
According to County Highway Department Superintendent
Jack Perkins, major repairs had to be made on Shell Creek Road,
Atley Brown Road, Morgan Branch Road, Heaton Branch Road, Hampton
Creek Road, and Heaton Creek Road as well as numerous other
roads.
The State-Aid Program, which is a vital part of
funding for all Tennessee counties, provided the paving of the
Tiger Creek Road. The following roads, or sections of roads
were paved: Hodge Branch Road, Lina Harvey Road, Nick Heatherly
Road, Price Road, Mill Creek Road, A.O. Buckles Road, Revere
Circle, Judge Ben Allen Road, J.N. Nidiffer Road, Danner Road,
Ed Davis Road, First Hollow Road, Mine Hollow Road, Ellis Hollow
Road, Perkins Hollow Road, Tulane Court, Williams Street, Milligan
Street, Miller Avenue, Taylor Avenue, Independence Lane, Clover
Branch Road, Charity Hill Road, Paul Blevins Road, Doty Road,
Blevins Hollow Road and Elisha Garland Cemetery Road.
Natural Resource estimated damages of $1.3 million
to various roads.
The department purchased two pieces of new equipment,
including a Stowers Caterpillar Backhoe and a Caterpillar 224D
Roller.
The construction of the Garfield Gouge Bridge began
in January of 2002. The cost for this bridge was approximately
$22,500 and was completed February 20, 2004.
Monies received from the State-Aid Program are essential
to the work of the CCHD, as well as all the highway departments
in the state and a decrease or the loss of these funds would
force a drastic change in the maintenance of roads, Perkins
said.
"The winter was not as bad as the previous year.
We are all looking forward to spring and soon it will be mowing
and paving season and we will continue to maintain the roads
to the best of our ability. Please feel free to call or come
by," Perkins added.
