A Middle Tennessee roadway heavily damaged by the May 2010 floods reopened on Nov. 30 following major repairs, according to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

A section of State Route 7 in Maury County was closed after the flooding triggered a massive landslide that caused parts of the roadway to collapse and slide down a steep embankment.

Following the landslide, TDOT had determined that constructing a bridge over the damaged section of roadway would be more cost effective than reconstructing the area. The bridge first had to be designed, and was then let to contract in December 2010. Construction on the $9.5 million project began in early 2011 and is now complete.

“This was the most extensive repair project initiated by TDOT after the May 2010 floods,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “We realize the inconvenience this has caused to those who live in and travel through this area, and we greatly appreciate their patience as we worked to restore this highway.”

The May 2010 floods caused millions of dollars in damage to Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure. TDOT worked closely with the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Tennessee Division to quickly initiate contracts and complete repairs to numerous roads and bridges across the state. To date, the FHWA has reimbursed TDOT for $39 million in flood related repairs, with $1.8 million of those funds dispersed to local governments.