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Inspections by the Tennessee Department of Transportation Strike Force team and bridge inspection crews have determined five state bridges were destroyed by flooding associated with Hurricane Helene.

On Sunday, the City of Elizabethton announced on its social media page that Elk Avenue Bridge is open, but the Broad Street Bridge remains closed. Drivers are asked to continue to use alternate routes to alleviate congestion in the downtown area.

According to TDOT Regional Communications Officer Mark Nagi, the five closed bridges are on the following roadways:

— Interstate 26, mile marker 39.6, Unicoi County;

— state Route 81, Washington County;

— state Route 353, Washington County;

— state Route 107, Greene County; and 

— Popular Springs Bridge, Greene County.

The inspections – conducted by a specialized group of emergency responders, engineers, and transportation experts – also resulted in the closure of 27 state roadways and 14 state bridges. According to a TDOT release, there is no immediate timeframe for full repairs.