KNOXVILLE – The City of Knoxville is set to reopen one of the most iconic sections of the Third Creek Greenway tomorrow, Friday, April 3. The Zig Zag Bridge, formerly named the Ulmer Bridge, has undergone a complete rebuild by the City’s Public Service Department in less than two months. This 200-foot-long pedestrian bridge honors John Ulmer, a dedicated bicycling enthusiast and planner from the 1970s who played a pivotal role in developing the greenway network.
Alison Bullock, Knoxville’s Parks and Greenways Coordinator, emphasized the significance of the reconstruction project. The original bridge had suffered extensive deterioration, including rotten structural components and a large hole in the deck. To ensure safety and longevity, the rebuilding crew dismantled the bridge down to its foundational 8-by-8-foot posts, preserving only the metal railing. The rebuild utilized top-quality pressure-treated lumber, promising many years of reliable service.
Chris Webster, Deputy Director of Public Service, expressed pride in the project team’s careful craftsmanship and skillful execution. A notable upgrade to the bridge deck includes replacing the previously slick shingles with metal safety treads to greatly enhance traction for pedestrians, runners, and bicyclists.
Key personnel involved in the bridge reconstruction were foremen Parkey Kelley and Kevin Johnson, along with crew members Tim Huffman, Tim Johnson, Thomas Melton, Jody Dykes, Brendan Buckner, Benny Burrell, Philip Patty, Josh LeClair, and Boyd Rutherford. Supporting horticulture staff contributed as well, including Mark Navarro, Zach Gilkey, Colby Nixon, Darrell Evans, Erickson Mesa, Roy Strevel, Phillip Wrinkle, Tony Walker, Clayton Curtis, Denim Thames, Jonathan Parker, Nicholas Ferro, and Ryan Crawford…