Everything about a swinging bridge is simple, but even the simplest things can become difficult.
After storms damaged and forced the closure of the Dark Island Swinging Bridge in Townsend, progress on returning the bridge to service may soon be visible. The bridge is currently closed off though signs announcing its closure have faded and in some cases torn off over the summer. Since being requested by a resolution of the Blount County Board of Commissioners in February to investigate the bridge’s structural status, access right-of-ways and ownership questions, Highway Superintendent Jeff Headrick has been edging his way through the tangle.
The county has a history of maintaining the swinging bridge that crosses Little River but the paperwork has been a bit unclear. The north side of the bridge is within the county boundary off of Carnes Road. The south side is inside Townsend’s city limits and the entrance is located in a curve of West Old Highway 73 just pass The Abbey. Access rights through private property have left things a jumble…