By Scott McKie B.P.
One Feather staff
The Saunooke Bridge that connects Big Cove Road with Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday, Nov. 9. The $1.75 million bridge replaces one that had fallen into disrepair and was built using funds from the Federal Highway Commission and the Bureau of Indian Affairs according to Barak Myers, CDOT official.
Tribal officials and leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the Saunooke Bridge on Monday, Nov. 7. Shown (left-right) are - Damon Lambert, CDOT; Painttown Rep. Tommye Saunooke; Vice Chairman B. Ensley; Principal Chief Michell Hicks; and Barak Myers, CDOT.
“Through a collaborative effort, we were able to get this bridge built,” said Myers who related that the bridge should help alleviate traffic problems on Big Cove Road as a result of the new school.
Ray Kinsland, Cherokee Boys Club executive director, gave a brief history of the bridge and related, “No one’s more happy to see this bridge open than I am.” The Boys Club runs buses for the Cherokee Central Schools each school day.
Principal Chief Michell Hicks commented, “As we’re progressing in Cherokee, we’re seeing a lot of the old renewed. This project is for the good of the people and the safety of the people.”
He continued, “Sometimes we don’t think these projects are important, but they’re very important. It’s good to see the progress.”
