City of Elizabethton - Government

🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧

A new project is starting at the intersection of W. G Street and Hudson Drive Monday, June 8, at 8 a.m. and is expected to be complete by the end of the day. Traffic controllers will be in place as the roadway will be reduced to two lanes between Carter Boulevard and Burgie Drug Store.

The eastbound lane will be diverted into the middle turning lane while crews install new water taps and meters for the development located at 1020 W. G Street.

Please move slowly through the area and use extreme caution as flaggers and workers will be present and alternating traffic patterns in place. Minor delays are expected throughout the day with longer delays during the morning and afternoon rush hours. The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work to expand access to utilities.

Contact the Water Resources Department at 423-547-6300 with questions or concerns.

A roadway improvement project is starting in several areas throughout Elizabethton on Monday, June 8, and is expected to be complete by the end of the following day. Crews will be applying a pavement preservation treatment that restores natural oils in asphalt and helps keep pavement flexible, extending the life of the roadway by four to five years.

Please refer to the chart for all affected areas.

Pavement Technology is contracted to complete the work and will be on site both days starting around 8 a.m. They'll apply the treatment, known as Reclamite, on the first day, and complete clean up on the second day, including sweeping up a light sand that will be spread following application.

As treatment is applied on each road, the roadways will be closed for 30-60 minutes to allow the material to absorb into the pavement. Roadways may temporarily feel tacky after absorption and cause slight tracking on driveways. Tracking should weather away after several weeks.

On the day of treatment, vehicles driving through the treatment areas should maintain a speed limit of 10 miles per hour or less. The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work to improve roadways while also reducing long-term paving costs.

🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧

A new street resurfacing project is starting on E. E Street and N. Riverside Drive Monday, June 8, and is expected to be complete within two weeks. It is part of roadway improvements in Downtown Elizabethton funded by a generous $1.1 million grant from the Governor's Response and Recovery Fund.

The grant supports ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene as traffic detours increased wear on roadways in the downtown area during the former Broad Street bridge closure.

This project includes the entirety of E. E Street and a portion of N. Riverside Drive, from E. E Street to E. Elk Avenue, and will be completed by Summers Taylor. Also part of this funding, S. Sycamore Street was resurfaced in May, and E. Elk Avenue, from Lynn Avenue to Highway 19E, will be resurfaced later this summer.

The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as temporary lane closures, delays, and changes to traffic patterns are expected during active construction periods, from 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. On-street parking will be prohibited during this time. Homes and businesses will remain as accessible as possible while work is underway.

Contact GIS and engineering programs manager Matthew Balogh at 423-547-6238 with questions or concerns.

Let’s celebrate the Bonnie Kate Theater Marquee! ✨

Join us tomorrow (6•5) during First Friday: Summer Vibes ☀️ to light the Bonnie Kate Theater’s brand-new Centennial Marquee at 8:30 PM! ❤️

This beautiful marquee is inspired by a past incarnation of the historic sign that once welcomed guests to the Bonnie Kate, serving as a great example of our downtown tagline, Old Soul • New Stories. ⭐️

This is more than just a sign lighting, it’s a monumental moment for the Bonnie Kate, our downtown, and our community as we continue preserving and celebrating the places that make us special! 👏

Make plans to join us for First Friday, enjoy all the Summer Vibes festivities downtown, then gather at the Bonnie Kate at 8:30 PM for this unforgettable celebration. Local icon Virginia Laws will be the special guest lighting the marquee for the first time. You won’t want to miss it! 🥳

The Bonnie Kate Theater’s Centennial Marquee was funded by Tennessee Arts Commission Rural Arts Facilities Fund grant and made possible thanks to the City of Elizabethton - Government and the Friends of the Bonnie Kate.

Join us in welcoming officers Jonathan Grindstaff and Shawn Nelson to the Elizabethton Police Department.

Grindstaff, from Unicoi, started with the department on May 26 and Nelson, Hampton, on April 13.

Throughout the hiring process, they were required to pass a written test and physical fitness test, participate in two interviews, undergo an extensive background review, and pass medical and psychological evaluations.

As new officers, they will complete four months of field training and a 12-week program through the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy.

If you or someone you know may be interested in working in the local police force, the department is still accepting applications for entry level or experienced law enforcement officers. Follow the link in the comments for more information on the job, benefits, and how to apply.

🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧

A new project is underway on the corner of Academy Street and E. Elk Avenue in Downtown Elizabethton and is expected to be complete by June 23. Crews are installing an accessible ramp along the sidewalk.

The ramp will replace the existing sloped sidewalk by providing a more level surface and a handrail. The city contracted the work to ALH Construction and anticipates crews to be on site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every weekday until work is complete. Some evenings may be required to complete the project on time.

While crews are actively working, Academy Street will be closed to traffic between 1st Street and E. Elk Avenue. Businesses in the area will remain accessible. Lane closures are not planned for E. Elk Avenue at this time but may be necessary during later stages of the project.

Please use caution in the area when workers are present. The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance accessibility downtown.

Contact the Street Department at 423-547-6306 with questions or concerns.

This morning around 7:30 a.m., the Elizabethton Fire Department responded to a call at the Elizabethton/Carter County Animal Shelter, located at 135 Sycamore Shoals Drive. An HVAC unit had overheated on the roof, causing the building to fill with smoke.

Firefighters evacuated the building, turned the unit off, and cleared the smoke. No animals, workers, or patrons were injured.

Four trucks responded, six firefighters, and three Elizabethton Police Department officers. They left the scene by 8 a.m.

🚧 Traffic Alert 🚧

A new project is starting in Downtown Elizabethton on Tuesday, June 2, around 5 p.m. and is expected to be complete by the end of the evening. Crews are installing a water line extension to service a new fire hydrant.

The hydrant will be installed at the main entrance into downtown. While crews work to complete this project, the eastbound entrance into downtown from E. Elk Street will be closed, and the westbound loop from E. Elk Avenue to E. Elk Street will be closed.

All businesses in this area will remain accessible, and eastbound traffic into downtown will be rerouted to E. Doe Avenue. Please use caution in the area as workers will be present. The city appreciates your patience and cooperation as we work to enhance fire safety in the community.

Another hydrant installation in downtown is tentatively planned for next week. More details will be released ahead of the project.

Contact the Water Resources Department at 423-547-6300 with questions or concerns.

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Two-hundred and thirty years ago today, our great state was founded. Tennessee, it’s hard to imagine home without you.