CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO GET UNDERWAY SOON ON A KINGSPORT BRIDGE THAT IS LOCATED ON A HEAVILY TRAVELED HIGHWAY. BARRIERS WILL BE PUT INTO PLACE ON NETHERLAND INN ROAD FRIDAY FOR THE ROTHERWOOD BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJECT. THE ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DURING CONSTRUCTION WHICH COULD TAKE UP TO DECEMBER 2009 TO COMPLETE. TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION OFFICIALS FEEL IT WILL BE COMPLETED MUCH SOONER. THE BRIDGE HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR REPLACEMENT FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS AFTER TDOT DISCOVERED STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS DURING AN ANNUAL INSPECTION IN 2002. TDOT PLANS TO CONSTRUCT A NEW CONCRETE GIRDER-TYPE BRIDGE THAT WILL BE LOCATED NEXT TO THE EXISTING BRIDGE.