Construction plans locked in place: Jail addition expected to take two years

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Site superintendent Kenneth Bratcher, of Medical Construction Group, looks on as work is being done on a drainage system for the Warren County Jail expansion. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

Construction on the Warren County Jail expansion is moving along swiftly according to site superintendent Kenneth Bratcher. Medical Construction Group out of Nashville won the bid for the project earlier this year and began construction in June with Bratcher, who has been involved in the design of the project since the beginning, at the helm.

After a somewhat shaky start due to a spate of rainy weather, Bratcher said the project is currently on schedule.

“It’s coming along really good,” Bratcher said.

Bratcher said the great majority of the groundwork is done.

“The groundwork is pretty much finished, about 99 percent, other than the drainage and we’re doing the drainage right now,” he said.

As a result, the crew is close to starting actual construction.

“This coming Tuesday we start with the footings and foundation of the jail,” Bratcher said. “But right now we’re getting all the utilities run in to the jail, like your water, your electrical, your plumbing, and your sprinkler system, all those things. That all has to be in before you dig your footings.”

Underground tanks that had presented some problems earlier in construction have been effectively dealt with according to Bratcher. He said most of the problems that had come to light prior to the beginning of construction have been addressed.

“I can’t think of anything that we were needing to do that we don’t have done at this time,” he said.

Bratcher is working in concert with jail architect Jim Armstrong, who will remain very involved during the construction process. The county also keeps track of, and inspects, the construction

Bratcher said, though it’s hard to estimate at this point, he feels the construction time should meet the original estimations.

“It’s a little early with winter time coming on, but we hope not to be here after two years,” he said. “We will be moved into this building here within 15 months.”

Right on track
• Site superintendent Kenneth Bratcher says work should begin on the foundation for the jail expansion next week.
• Overall construction time is still estimated at around two years.
• Bratcher is working closely with jail architect Jim Armstrong.