Utility and Grade Work Continuing in Preparation for Highway 56 Construction Project

April 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC is continuing its work grading, clearing trees, structures, and making utility relocations in preparation for road construction on Highway 56 south (McMinnville Highway).

During construction, the Tennessee Department of Transportation is advising motorists to use caution and watch for construction equipment and personnel in the roadway.

“The contractor will continue installing concrete box culverts and drainage structures. Grade work and utility work on the new roadway alignment are ongoing. No change in traffic patterns, traffic is still using the existing SR-56. Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for construction equipment adjacent to roadway. Flaggers may be present to move equipment across roadway, unload equipment, or complete utility work,” according to TDOT’s weekly report.

TDOT opened bids last June and Jones Brothers Contractors, LLC was the low bidder on the construction project at $43,691,948 which will be done in two phases from south of state highway 288 near Magness Road to East Bryant Street in Smithville and from south of the Warren-DeKalb County line to near Magness Road in DeKalb County. A proposed third segment from near State Route 287 in Warren County to near the DeKalb County Line is not yet ready for bid letting.

The state plans to build largely two lanes of a proposed four lane project and maintain traffic on the existing Highway 56 (alignment) while construction is done on the new portion.

The estimated completion date for the two phases is May 31, 2022.

April 10, 2020
By: Dwayne Page

DeKalb County’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has increased to 9. As of Sunday April 12, the Tennessee Department of Health reports that 223 people have been tested with 214 negative results and 9 positive. There have been no deaths in DeKalb County from the virus and one of the nine tested positive has recovered.

The DeKalb County Health Department has established a COVID-19 drive through assessment site for county residents at the DeKalb County Health Department, 254 Tiger Drive, Smithville, Monday-Friday, 9am-3pm. Additional information about Tennessee’s assessment sites is available for each county on the Tennessee Department of Health website at www.tn.gov/health/cedep/ncov/remote-assessment-sites.html.

April 10, 2020
By:

The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is encouraging people with disabilities, families of people with disabilities, and disability non-profit organizations to apply for new, one-time grants through its scholarship fund.

The Council special funding grants are to be used for technology to support people with disabilities to grow their leadership skills and stay connected during social distancing with COVID-19.
Funds must be used to meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families by:

· Promoting their health and well-being;
· Providing opportunities for leadership development;
· Creating social distancing-compliant activity and engagement with family, friends, and peers;
· Decreasing anxiety due to social distancing;
· And/or increasing positive shared experiences.

Grant amounts are: $500 per individual, $1,000 per family, and $1,500 per agency/organization. The funding will be offered as reimbursement. Priority will be given to people with disabilities and family members, especially from rural communities.

Applications are due by May 30, 2020. For more details and to fill out the online grant application, visit: bit.ly/TNCDDCovid19.

“We know the challenges of social distancing are magnified for many people with disabilities and their family members,” Council Executive Director Wanda Willis said. “We are making this funding available for creative ideas to support continued engagement, learning, and connection in the disability community as we all stay apart to stay safe.”

About the Council on Developmental Disabilities
The Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities is a state agency established to improve disability policies and practice, educate policymakers and the public, and build collaboration to create lasting, positive change for Tennesseans with disabilities and their families. The Council is the only state agency tasked with looking at how all the pieces of our disability system work together, identifying areas of need, and bringing different parts of government and outside groups together to tackle challenges and improve state services. For more information, visit www.tn.gov/cdd or follow us on Twitter (@TNCouncilDD) or Facebook.