Carter County commissioners debate Tweetsie Trail master plan, costs after $6.3M state grant

Carter County commissioners spent a large portion of their meeting debating whether to accept a master plan for the Tweetsie (Watershed) Trail and how to use $6.3 million in state funding intended for the project.

Supporters said the master plan gives the county options to phase construction so the county can begin work with funds already awarded. "This initial vote is not to determine what we're going to do except to accept a master plan," a commissioner said during discussion, adding the plan is a "living and breathing document" that the commission can change and stage work to match funding.

Opponents and some finance committee members cautioned that a recent presentation showed estimates as high as $18 million for the full corridor, and said the county needs itemized cost estimates before voting to commit money. "We cannot complete that project for $5,000,000," a commissioner said, citing the gap between the grant and the higher figure shown in the consultant materials.

The county's finance director told the commission the $6.3 million grant was intended primarily for the bridge, a tunnel and related trail facilities; portions of the grant will flow through the city of Elizabethton. Commissioners noted the grant did not by itself fund every segment of the longer corridor and that acquiring property and final cost estimates will affect what can be built now.

Design firm Ross & Fowler was referenced as the contractor developing the master plan; commissioners and staff discussed bringing the firm back for a full presentation and making the plan available to the full commission and the public before any commitment of funds.

Several commissioners suggested formal public engagement and phased implementation: the grant could be used to build the portion the funds were intended to cover, or the commission could use phases to advance the project and seek additional funding. The mayor's office said it was willing to coordinate with Nashville if the grant contract needs adjustment to reflect phased work.

The meeting record shows extensive discussion but does not include a recorded final vote on accepting the master plan or committing funds; commissioners asked staff to provide clearer, stage-by-stage cost estimates and to schedule a full presentation of the master plan for the commission and public.

Next steps: commissioners directed staff to obtain a full presentation from the consultants, supply detailed cost estimates by phase and provide the commission with formal documentation of options and likely costs before voting on any commitment.