Two new feeds operational across the Nolichucky; outages require major repair

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024

JOHNSON CITY – A truly epic week of reconstruction continued Wednesday, as BrightRidge and a host of contractors managed to restore power across the Nolichucky River early Wednesday morning, with broader distribution inside the hard-hit South Central community following around 2 a.m.

BrightRidge managed to complete two major feeds across the stricken bridge at Bailey Bridge and still functional Jackson Bridge in just a few days, with work expected to take three days to complete a third feed across the now destroyed, and much larger, Taylor Bridge.

“We really do need to send a special thank you to our BrightRidge team, as well as Pike Electric and contractors from around the country, who have worked literally around the clock to drive two new feeds across the river,” BrightRidge CEO Jeff Dykes said. “It’s difficult to describe the devastation, and just how much the river channel has been widened by this once in a generation storm event.”

Remaining outages will be difficult to repair, with downed trees, lines and busted poles to replace. Work will continue until all possible restorations have been completed.

“If folks can just hang in there a little longer, we will get there,” Dykes said. “Restoration to these folks will be difficult in most areas, where rebuilds and new lines must be pulled. Some buildings will have to have inspections and repairs made as well.”

Construction at Taylors Bridge is estimated to take about three days to complete. Work will include building a road down to the area where conductor support structures will be built.

Dykes also again asked that any motorists traveling in the area should use the utmost caution as crews are working. The public should avoid unnecessary travel in the vicinity of the Nolichucky.