TDOT tells Tullahoma leaders Big Springs Avenue likely to close during Wilson Avenue bridge work

Tullahoma officials heard from a Tennessee Department of Transportation representative that the city should plan for a multi-month closure of Big Springs Avenue at its intersection with Wilson Avenue to accommodate bridge construction work.

Clint Carpenter, team lead of the Tullahoma Construction Office for TDOT, told the Board of Mayor and Aldermen on Jan. 27 that staging for the bridge project places construction activities too close to the Big Springs intersection to maintain safe two-way access during portions of the work. “At certain portions of the staging of the project, it's gonna be very difficult. Almost impossible to maintain safe access in and out of Big Springs,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter said he is working with the prime contractor, Demet Construction, to limit impacts and that TDOT prefers to schedule the closure during summer break for local schools. “So we think we're gonna need at least 3 months of closure right there. So the goal right now is to start when school lets out this spring,” he said. Carpenter added crews might need an additional one to two months of work that could occur after school resumes.

Mayor Roland and city staff signaled they would place the closure on the board agenda for discussion and coordinate required city input. City administrator Mister Quick said the item could be scheduled for the board’s next meeting and that public works, the Tullahoma Police Department, Tullahoma Fire Department and Tullahoma City Schools should be consulted. “I can make sure that we have input from public works and also from our Tullahoma Police Department and our Tullahoma Fire Department,” Quick said.

Carpenter described the proposed detour for most traffic: from Cedar Lane to U.S. 41A (Jackson Street), turning at Walgreens and then entering Big Springs from 41A. He acknowledged some local roads are private and will require separate coordination. “I think I've discussed with Jason that it's actually a private road now,” Carpenter said of one alternate route; Quick confirmed the city will contact private-property owners as needed.

Residents at the meeting raised concerns about road condition and staging impacts. Greg Sandlin, who spoke during public comment, suggested using savings from election scheduling to repair local streets; Carpenter and board members acknowledged those concerns and said TDOT and the city would coordinate to minimize disruption.

The board did not take formal action that night on a closure order; Carpenter asked staff to bring the item back for the board’s formal approval after coordination with city departments and affected property owners. The board and TDOT said they would attempt to limit the closure to the summer to reduce impacts on school transportation and return with a formal agenda item once routing and scheduling details were finalized.