New Bridge Opens on Schedule
August 28, 2007

The new Highway 58 bridge over the Hiwassee River near Decatur, Tennessee is open on schedule.

The nearly $10 million span opened to traffic Monday, replacing a 78-year-old bridge that was so narrow some people wouldn't cross it.

Meigs Elementary School Supervisor Amanda Pritchett says some people who live on the south side of the river sent their children to other schools because they were afraid for them to cross the old bridge.

Officials say it was common for trucks to lose their outside rear view mirrors when they met on the bridge.

T-DOT plans to have the old bridge blown into pieces, then retrieved from the river.

Meigs County Mayor Ken Jones says replacement of the bridge was at the top of his list when he took office in 2002.

Jones says many people worked to get the new bridge built, but Congressman Zach Wamp helped make it a reality.