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Bridge preservation group proposes legal injunction 

Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has rejected a proposal by the members of the Old Stone Fort Bridge Preservation Group that sought to keep in place a bridge located in the state park in a letter dated February 28.

In a press release sent to the Times Monday, March 4, TDEC made official the future for the Old Stone Fort Bridge.

“I am confident the path we have chosen is in the best interest of park visitors and will confirm and honor the tradition of the truss bridge while keeping our visitors safe. This decision is consistent with our mission,” Deputy Commissioner Greer Tidwell writes.

“On behalf of the thank you for the information provided and the care the Old Stone Fort Bridge Preservation Group has expressed. We appreciate the time and effort you dedicated to sharing your thoughtful proposal for the preservation of the truss bridge,” he writes.

“TDEC has decided to repurpose the truss bridge as a river overlook upstream from where it is currently located to preserve its rich history and tradition. As part of that project, staff and interpretive signage will convey its rich history as a former part of Tennessee’s Highway System to park guests overlooking the beautiful Duck River,” Tidwell writes.

TDEC cites reasons for the decision that include the need for vehicular bridge connecting the campground to the main park entrance and ranger station. Also cited is the truss bridge’s documented damage to structural members that continue to deteriorate.

“Rehabilitating the truss bridge for use by today’s vehicles, especially RVs, is not a practicable option because its original design does not meet modern-day loading or design standards (Load and Resistance Factor Design) which TDOT is required by federal regulation and state policy to meet for vehicular bridges on public roads,” Tidwell writes.

“By the nature and age of the materials used on the truss bridge structure, it cannot be repaired to meet those design requirements. This decision will ultimately allow campground guests to be able to access other park amenities more conveniently and safely,” he says.

Tidwell adds the improvement of Country Club Drive as called for in the proposal would fall under the jurisdiction and financial responsibility of Coffee County and the City of Manchester.

Tidwell said that all public comments received in the public comment period, the public meeting, and the information presented in the group’s  proposal were carefully considered.

The Old Stone Fort Bridge Preservation Group announced Sunday that the board voted unanimously to engage an engineering firm that specializes in historic bridges, Kurdziel Barker of Indianapolis, to complete an independent third-party Inspection of the bridge.

On Feb. 18, the group announced it had collected at total of $8,500 for the survey work to be done. A Concert fundraiser is being planned for April 27 at Manchester Rotary Park.

Old Stone Fort Preservation Group President Gary Kiviniemi said that State Representative Rush Bricken and Senator Janice Bowling were informed of the decision on Friday. The Preservation group was informed on Saturday. 

“We’re right now checking in on the possibilities of filing an injunction to halt their project because they were not in keeping with requirements,” Kiviniemi said.

Kiviniemi said he confirmed with the engineers on Monday, Feb. 4 that the  firm will be in town next week to preform its survey of the bridge. 

“We are going forward with it,” he said. 

Kiviniemi said that the group has a few thousand dollars left from other fundraising that could go to attorney fees.   

“We have a little bit of money for that,” he said. “We have the names of some attorneys that may well do that very inexpensively….”