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Blount County commissioners back highway investigation into ownership of Townsend Swinging Bridge
Summary
The commission unanimously adopted a resolution directing the county attorney and highway superintendent to investigate ownership and access for the Dark Island (Swinging) Bridge in Townsend; commissioners said no county tax dollars will be spent until ownership and public-access terms are clarified
The Blount County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 20 adopted a resolution directing the county attorney and the Blount County Highway Department to investigate ownership, access and potential easements for the Swinging Bridge in Townsend (referred to in the resolution as the Dark Island Bridge).
Commissioner Bowers moved the resolution, seconded by Commissioner Acard; the motion passed by voice with a recorded 18-0 vote. The adopted resolution expresses support for the highway superintendent and county attorney to "research and investigate a plan to determine whether access can be obtained" for the bridge and to report back with findings that would inform any future funding decisions.
Why it matters: the bridge is a local pedestrian link that residents said connects neighborhoods in Townsend to schools, businesses and community events. Commissioners emphasized that the resolution does not authorize spending county tax dollars to repair the bridge at this time; several commissioners said they would not support using local tax funds for repairs unless ownership and public-access arrangements are documented.
What commission members said: Commissioner Giles said he supports repairing the bridge for Townsend and Blount County residents but added, "I will not authorize personally spending a 1 tax dollar, not 1p of tax monies until we are able to ascertain who does the bridge belong to?" (transcription as spoken). Commissioner Carver said he had "some hesitation" because he had been told the property owner had restricted general public access and allowed only paying customers from an Airbnb; he said he wanted to verify whether an easement exists on the other side of the river. Commissioner French summarized the resolution as a fact-finding step, saying commissioners are "not voting to spend any money right now. All we're voting is for the county attorney and the highway superintendent to find out who owns the bridge." Commissioner Acord (Acard) and other commissioners urged prompt follow-up; several referenced Superintendent Hedrick's work to identify ownership and access and said Hedrick expected to have more concrete information in 2–4 weeks.
Public comment: Pat Jenkins, a Townsend city commissioner and resident, told the commission the bridge "serves the community" and links residents to schools, shopping, the Fourth of July fireworks and the Townsend Christmas parade. Jenkins said the bridge provides important walking and bicycle connections and urged preservation.
Next steps: the resolution directs county staff to determine ownership and access and report back; any future decision to spend county dollars for repair or maintenance will require separate commission action once ownership and access terms are clarified.
