February 22, 2019
By: Dwayne Page
A portion of State Highway 141 (Lancaster Road) near Center Hill Dam was closed today (Friday) after large cracks suddenly developed in the road giving rise to concerns that it is unsafe to travel and could collapse.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation has placed barriers across the road from the 0.7 to 1.1 mile markers. Motorists planning to travel that portion of the highway will need to take an alternate route.
Smith County authorities have agreed to cover any emergency calls in the area for DeKalb County if necessary under a mutual aid agreement until the road is re-opened.
Although there are no homes located between the barriers, residents on the east side of where the road is closed (near the dam) currently can’t travel west toward Lancaster on this highway and those on the west side of the barrier can’t go east toward the dam.
No word yet from TDOT on when the road can be repaired and re-opened.