Construction to Close Road Across Blue Ridge Dam
November 27 , 2002
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. — To permit construction of a low-level water discharge outlet at Blue Ridge Dam, TVA will close Old U.S. Highway 76 across the dam for more than a year beginning Monday, December 16.
Fannin County school buses will be allowed access over the dam for regularly scheduled trips to and from area schools in the mornings and afternoons Monday through Friday. No other traffic will be allowed.
Detour signs will direct all other vehicles to New Highway 76. Westbound traffic on Old Highway 76 will use County Road No. 68, and eastbound traffic on Old Highway 76 will use County Road No. 89. Local access to businesses and other facilities along Old Highway 76 on the west side of the dam will be from McKinney Road.
TVA began notifying local officials and residents of plans to construct the low-level discharge outlet and the resulting road closure a year ago to give residents and businesses time to prepare alternative transportation plans. TVA recently reminded local officials of the project. The road is expected to reopen in February 2004.
Construction of the low-level discharge outlet is the first phase of proposed work at Blue Ridge Dam. TVA will use the outlet to move water from the reservoir to the river below the dam while repairs are made to the penstock, a pipe that carries water from the reservoir to the turbines in the powerhouse.
The penstock is currently the only means of withdrawing water from deeper levels of the reservoir to control the reservoir elevation. The new outlet will give TVA another way to control the elevation of the reservoir and help to protect water quality, fish and aquatic habitat, recreation, and other downstream uses while the penstock is out of service.
TVA is the nation’s largest public power producer, and its power system is self-financed. TVA provides power to large industries and 158 power distributors that serve 8.3 million consumers in seven southeastern states.
Media Contact:
Barbara Martocci, Knoxville (865-632-8632) or TVA News Bureau, Knoxville (865-632-6000)
