As of today, it has been an overextended 14-month “Alka Seltzer Hangover Relief” journey!

It was originally slated to be completed by June, 2024.  Currently, the completion date has been changed and updated to late August, 2025 – an increased differential of 14 months.

Hold on!  The “It” is the stomach-turning 4.1 miles of road construction in DeKalb County, Tennessee on U. S. Route 70 (also known as State Route 26) thoroughfare.  Definitively, the areas of interest are State Route 53 at Alexandria to near SR-26 in Liberty.

In preparation for this article, I realized that the Highway 70 in question is the same highway named after my dad, McAllen Foutch.  Or as my boys called it many years ago, the “McDaddy Hiay.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

According to my new friend, Rae Anna Bradley, the Region 2 Communications Officer for the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), “The project is currently behind schedule (14 months), but work is progressing.  The contractor’s schedule shows an estimated completion date of late August, 2025.

“This delay is primarily due to differing site conditions that have delayed utility installation.”  Intermittent with the former is the differing weather functions throughout the meteorological seasonal fluctuation times throughout the DeKalb County area.

Brady continued, “The project will widen SR-26 from near SR-96 in DeKalb County.  The scope of this work includes grading, drainage, pavement, guardrail, retaining walls, utility relocation and culvert construction – within the project limits.”

To further explain, she said, “This project will upgrade the current roadway from two (2) to five (5) lanes in each direction and a continuous center turn lane.”

The cost is estimated to be $30,875,122 and Twin K Contractors, Inc. of Cookeville is the project developer.

“Expect intermittent lane closures throughout the duration of the construction project,” said TDOT.  In addition, “There are no anticipated major traffic impacts or shifts from the project.”

“These (aforementioned) improvements will provide a safer and a more efficient route through the community with the ability to accommodate higher traffic volumes,” Bradley added.

“Traffic is using the north portion of the alignment, and one lane of travel in each direction is being maintained during construction.  The contractor continues lane closures and flagging operations as needed to accomplishment work.”

There are two important considerations from TDOT:

“Be Prepared for Stoppages" while traveling through the work zone due to temporary lane stoppages.”  The second consideration is to “Obey Posted Speed Limits" and be aware of construction equipment and personnel.”