TDOT: Closure “expected to remain in place for approximately 50 days, weather permitting”

CELINA-Residents here will soon have to find an alternate route to travel to neighboring Gainesboro, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

“As part of the upcoming culvert replacement project on State Route 53 in Jackson County, TDOT will temporarily close a section of SR 53 near Hurricane Branch Lane to allow crews to safely complete this critical work,” a news release from the department said last week.  “The closure is scheduled to begin on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and is expected to remain in place for approximately 50 days, weather permitting.

“During this time, a signed detour will be posted, and drivers should plan for additional travel time.”

The TDOT detour map suggests taking Highway 52 to Livingston and Highway 85 through Hilham to Gainesboro as the alternate route for those traveling from Celina.

A voluntary community meeting was being held after HORIZON press time Monday at the Jackson County Courthouse, where TDOT planned to present project details and answer questions from the public.

TDOT said the closure is necessary to replace a failing culvert that poses a significant safety risk, and information available on the department’s website offered additional details:

“On February 15, 2025, a significant rain event took place in Jackson County and severely damaged the inlet sections of twin 15-foot-diameter metal pipes,” TDOT said online.  “The damage resulted in the collapse of the northbound shoulder, forcing the closure of both the shoulder and the adjacent travel lane to remain in compliance with TDOT and FHWA safety regulations.

“Within days, a multidisciplinary project team was assembled to develop a repair design as quickly and efficiently as possible to replace the damaged pipes and prevent further failure, avoiding an unplanned long-term road closure.

“The project team ultimately selected a repair option that prioritized safety and minimized closure duration.

“The chosen approach utilizes a large pre-cast concrete structure, which significantly reduces construction time and allows all work to remain within the existing right-of-way.  This approach minimizes environmental permitting requirements and eliminates delays associated with right-of-way acquisition.

“While the use of a pre-cast structure of this size is innovative, pre-cast elements have proven successful on similar TDOT projects for accelerating construction timelines.  The duration of the closure for this option is contractually limited to 50 days.”

Another document linked on the page for the project on TDOT’s website revealed the project received environmental permits on July 15, 2025, project plans were finalized on July 23, 2025, and the project was let on October 3, 2025 to Cleary Construction at a bid of $2,745,399.75.

The same document included an in-depth project history and responses to frequently asked questions, which also shed light on the TDOT’s decision to close the road.

In response to a the question of why the road needs to be closed, TDOT explained “it was determined that a one-lane operation could no be safely maintained due to the depth and instability of the existing structure” and said “full closure is necessary to ensure worker and public safety.”

TDOT also addressed the installation of a “run-around” diverting traffic around the construction site to keep the road open.

“A phased construction approach was evaluated but would require right-of-way acquisition from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, a process that can take up to 18 months,” TDOT said.  “This alternative would also necessitate more extensive environmental permits, which involve significantly longer approval times than the permits required for the selected design.”

The document explained the project requires “expedited delivery” because the existing structure is severely compromised, and further deterioration could result in an unexpected full road collapse.

“Expediting the project minimizes the risk of unplanned closures and ensures the safety and reliability of SR-53 for the traveling public,” TDOT said.

They also addressed the impact of the road closure on the local community.

“Community impact was central to every project decision,” TDOT said.  “The use of pre-cast components allows for an estimated 50-day closure, compared to approximately 120 days for traditional construction methods.

“TDOT will continue to coordinate closely with local emergency services, schools, and government officials prior to and throughout construction to minimize disruption and reinstate essential access as quickly as possible.”

For more information about the project, including a the link to the additional document, visit http://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/region-2/sr-53-culvert-replacement.html.