NEWPORT, Tenn. (WVLT) - Construction in Newport has begun in earnest, working to get an essential railroad bridge back in place after it was damaged by Hurricane Helene floods in September.

Norfolk Southern operates the railway, which spans the Pigeon River. The bridge connects East Tennessee to the Asheville area, making it an important artery for moving goods. Heather Garcia, a representative for Norfolk Southern said replacing the bridge is a major part of rebuilding after the flooding.

"Installing the spans for this bridge and replacing this bridge is a key moment for us in being able to restore service on that line," Garcia said. "Being able to get this bridge in is a key piece for us to be able to get our freight service in and out of the Asheville area so that we can start serving those businesses again that rely on rail to be able to get their goods to market."

Wednesday saw crews put the bridge's span in place, that's the "platform" that holds the rails.

"We know that freight rail service is really important to the economy here and to so many local businesses who rely on it," Garcia said. "After the spans are all in, we'll put the rail in and obviously there's some inspection and things like that, but its one step closer to be able to get service back."

The bridge itself, built in 1917, is expected to last another century with the repairs finished.

Spring Pearson is from Del Rio in Cocke County. She said the repairs are a good sign months out from the storm.

"It feels like hope in a lot of ways," she said. "I feel like when the trains are running again, it'll feel like we're that much closer to getting things back together."

It's hopeful not just because of the economic impact, but because of Pearson's own love for the railroad.

"We live on the train tracks in Del Rio so we, my kids and I, wave at the conductors everyday," she said. "There's a sighting by the house so we've gotten to talk to some of them a couple of times."

Garcia said Norfolk Southern plans to have the bridge repaired by the end of the month.