After rebuilding two storm-damaged bridges in record time, the Kiewit team gave back through fundraising, volunteer work and a significant project incentive donation.
After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of East Tennessee in 2024, two major bridges — on SR 107 and SR 81 — were washed away, isolating communities and turning daily commutes into detours.
To fast-track recovery, the Tennessee Department of Transportation turned to its first-ever progressive design-build contract, selecting Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. for the job.
Less than eight months later, both bridges are open — SR 107 on May 23 and SR 81 just one day later — completing construction nearly a month ahead of schedule.
“This was the quickest project delivery of a major river crossing in TDOT’s history,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “It’s about having the right tool for the right job.”
Working fast — giving back
To meet the aggressive schedule, crews worked long hours and moved a significant volume of material. On SR 81 alone, they placed 46,000 tons of aggregate and poured enough foundation concrete to fill an Olympic-size pool. On SR 107, the team installed girders weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds and poured enough bridge concrete to frame more than a dozen homes.
While construction was still underway, the team partnered with the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), a nonprofit focused on housing recovery. Over two volunteer days, Kiewit employees helped clear debris, build porches and construct wheelchair ramps for residents still trying to rebuild — including Lorene “Skeeter” Lewis, who lost her home of 40 years in the flood.
“Everything I own, everything I’ve built, everything God allowed me to have, I just watched it go away,” Lewis said. “It was devastating, but seeing so many people willing to help has truly changed my perspective.”
The employee-led fundraising effort continues, with nearly $90,000 raised so far. The money will help ASP fund the construction of three new homes in the area. Separately, Kiewit made a $100,000 donation to Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster in East Tennessee — a contribution made possible through early project completion.
“I think this project says a lot about the people on this team,” said Project Manager Mike Svoboda. “We came here to build bridges, but we also wanted to support the people who live around them.”
Before summer ends, Kiewit will have contributed $200,000 to support regional recovery efforts.
A community celebration
The community celebrated the project’s early completion with two ribbon-cutting ceremonies — including one on May 30 attended by state officials and residents.
“It took a remarkable community to pull that off,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee during his ceremony remarks.
“The people of this part of the state came together in unprecedented ways to serve one another and to come alongside one another. Local officials, members of the General Assembly, the TDOT workers, the contractors. We had a job to do, and we knew it was urgent and had to be done quickly. This bridge is opening a month early to help alleviate just part of the struggle that this community has seen over the last eight months.”
With both bridges now open to traffic, the team’s impact is being felt — on the ground and across the community.
