Gay Street Bridge gets additional city funding for repairs
By Mike Steely
Senior Writer
steelym@knoxfocus.com
Temporary repairs to the Gay Street Bridge were allocated an additional $100,500 Tuesday when the Knoxville City Council met. The funds, going to Gresham Smith Inc., bump the contract amount to $448,500. The bridge was closed to all vehicular traffic because of serious structural problems and total repairs may come to $2 million.
The city plans to secure the bridge enough to permit pedestrian and bicycle traffic and possibly be used when needed for emergency vehicles.
The idea of allowing city buses to cross the bridge was discussed and drew some comments from the council as to safety and how those vehicles might interfere with pedestrian use. Ellen Zavisca and Drew Harper of YES Knoxville spoke in favor of the repairs and pedestrian use of the span linking downtown to South Knoxville. They suggested the use of “Always Stop” indicators at both ends of the bridge, raised intersections at each end to slow traffic, and added that pedestrian use was a “win-win” for the city.
Councilwoman Lynne Fugate said the change would limit access to South Knoxville and asked for an estimate of the cost of a new structure. Mayor Indya Kincannon said the cost of building a new bridge is estimated at $65 to $70 million and noted that some state and federal funding will be needed.
“Once you leave the bridge at Sevier Avenue it’s not pedestrian-friendly,” Councilwoman Amelia Parker said and called that a “safety concern.”
Councilman Charles Thomas said he is “not wedded to KAT buses on the bridge” and Kincannon replied that “maybe one bus or emergency vehicle at a time” but added, “We don’t know yet.”
Vice Mayor Tommy Smith, who represents South Knoxville, asked if Gresham Smith would have a structural engineer at the bridge during initial repairs and was told “Yes.” Smith noted the more than 100-year-old bridge might break in other places at some time.
The funding increase for the project was approved unanimously by the council.
The city council also voted final approval for two sections of the former St. Mary’s Hospital campus, now the Public Safety Complex, to change the zoning from institutional district to RN-4 and RN-6 (residential) on two requests from Jim Hatfield.
Phase II of the Stormwater Asset Management Project got $2.2 million in a contract with CDM Smith for professional services management. Council approved a $5.36 million contract with Rogers Group Inc. for the 2025 Resurfacing Phase I project and $100,000 was approved for a contract with Alta Planning + Design for a citywide speed management plan.
A $510,000 contract including the installation of an underground fuel tank, mechanical dispensers and associated work at the new Public Safety Complex was approved for Spatco Energy Solutions LLC..
Two companies, Carmichaels Lawn Care LLC and Taylor’s Lawn Service, were hired for mowing in four city zones and I40/James White Parkway.
A Wallwood Road property was approved to change from RN-1 to RN-2, single-family residential neighborhood. Two Campbell Lane properties were approved to become general commercial from RN-1 residential. A Kingston Court address was approved to switch from RN-1 to RN-2 and a Grand Avenue property was approved to change to general commercial from an RN-5 zoning designation.
Dr. William Lyons was reappointed to the Civil Service Merit Board. Lynne Ghenov was appointed to the Board of Community Television, Laura Contreras-Alanis was named to the Police Advisory and Review Committee, Kimberly Mays was named to serve on the Golf Course Advisory Board, and Mallory Alder was approved to serve on the Public Property Naming Committee.
