This Greene County bridge was the final stretch of roadway to reopen after damage from Hurricane Helene. Photo: courtesy of TDOT
More than a year after the remnants of Hurricane Helene thrashed East Tennessee, all of the state roads damaged in the flooding are finally back open.
Why it matters: At its peak, the flood damage left many communities in the northeast corner of the state dangerously isolated. Major roads and bridges, including Interstate 40, were shuttered.
The latest: Yesterday, officials with the Tennessee Department of Transportation celebrated the reopening of the State Route 353 Floyd W. "Jason" Lamb Jr. Memorial Bridge in Greene County.
It was the final state bridge to reopen to traffic.
By the numbers: A total of 49 Tennessee bridges or roads closed following the Helene-driven flooding in September 2024, per TDOT.
What's next: While all roads and bridges have now reopened, some repairs are still underway. I-40 construction near the North Carolina boarder is expected to stretch into next year.
