10/08/2025, 09:10

I invited Mayor Gandy to the Telford Ruritan Club Open House from 2 - 5 P.M. on Saturday the 25th of Oct. There are no guarantees that he will actually be there, but you're all invited as well.

"JD"

10/06/2025, 11:38

There appears to be some work going on today!

The following is from our Mayor:

In April 2025, following a TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation) inspection of the bridge on Telford Road which crosses Brown Branch (commonly referred to as Telford Bridge), Washington County Highway Department received the Bridge Elevation Report which required ‘the bridge to be closed to all traffic’.



After repeated attempts by Washington County Highway Department to keep Telford Bridge open with reduced load restrictions until design work could be completed, notice was issued by TDOT to the Washington County Highway Department, that Telford Bridge ‘closure shall be complete by April 16, 2025’. Failure to comply would cause Washington County Highway Department to cease receiving State Highway funds.



Engineering services were immediately contracted with Thompson & Litton, one of the local Engineering firms that the Highway Department uses to design projects of this type.



Typical design of a bridge for construction requires 12 to 15 months to complete. In addition to the design work, three (3) separate TDOT approvals are required through the design process which each typically take 7 – 10 weeks after submittal.



Due to the specifics of this project and with regard to the concerns of the Telford Road closure (some of which are outlined in the email by Jeff Banks), this project has had TOP priority, by Washington County Highway Department and TDOT, from day one. While not visible at the site, work was racing along behind the scene to produce an approved design in less than 6 months.



On October 1, 2025, Washington County Highway Department received approval from the State to move forward with the bid process for the project construction. The Highway Department expects to receive proposals later in October with construction of the new bridge to begin shortly thereafter.



We understand the inconvenience, but safety is the top priority for our county roads and bridges. This project is moving faster than expected, twice the normal pace, and the county would like to express their appreciation to the design team and TDOT for accelerating the process of this project to the bid process.



Respectfully,



Joe Grandy

Washington County Mayor

PO Box 219

Jonesborough, TN 37659

423-753-1850

10/06/2025, 09:20

No response yet.

"JD"

09/30/2025, 10:12

The following sent on your behalf:

Dear Mayor Joe Grandy,
On behalf of the undersigned residents of Telford and the surrounding communities (please see attached), I am writing to urgently request your immediate attention and intervention regarding the prolonged closure of the Telford Road bridge over Brown Branch. The overwhelming response to the “Fix Our Bridge Now” petition highlights the severe and multifaceted hardships caused by this closure.
Main Concerns:
Critical Safety Risks:
The detour routes currently in use are narrow, with blind curves and inadequate for the volume and type of traffic now forced onto them. Multiple residents have reported near-collisions, actual accidents, and an incident where a vehicle was struck by a train due to the lack of proper railroad crossing signals. These conditions are especially hazardous for school buses, emergency vehicles, farm equipment, and daily commuters.
Delays Endangering Emergency Response:
The closure is significantly delaying response times for emergency services, which could have life-threatening consequences. There are three homes effectively trapped should a train be stopped on the tracks. Community members are deeply concerned that, in the event of a medical or fire emergency, vital minutes could be lost.
Economic and Community Disruption:
The detour is adding substantial time and cost to daily commutes, school bus routes, and business operations. Farmers, workers, and families are disproportionately affected, with some reporting damaged vehicles and lost business .
Erosion of Trust and Lack of Communication:
The absence of visible progress or clear communication has led to frustration and a loss of trust in local government. Residents feel neglected and question the allocation and management of repair funds .
Our Requests:
Immediate prioritization of the bridge repair and reopening, with clear timelines and visible action.
Regular, transparent updates to the community regarding progress and obstacles.
Interim safety measures on detour routes, such as enhanced signage, speed enforcement, and railroad crossing improvements, to prevent further accidents until the bridge is reopened.
The people of Telford and surrounding areas rely on this bridge for safe, timely, and convenient travel. We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to restore this vital link, address the acute safety and accessibility concerns, and rebuild public trust.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Very respectfully,
Jeffrey D. Banks, On behalf of the Telford Community

09/30/2025, 07:34

Thanks ALL!

We have 255! Pressing forward with submission.

Cheers!

JD Banks

09/13/2025, 06:57

Thank you all so much for supporting this petition!

Let's keep it moving by sharing with folks who may not have had an opportunity to help.

Please consider sharing further in hopes of obtaining 500 signatures by the 1st of October.

Thanks again!

JD Banks