Marion County Commission reverses decision on declaring bridge surplus property

The old Ellis Cove Road bridge in the Battle Creek area of Marion County in January was the subject of a reversal of a decision made back in November to declare the bridge surplus property. The bridge is more than 100 years old.
The old Ellis Cove Road bridge in the Battle Creek area of Marion County in January was the subject of a reversal of a decision made back in November to declare the bridge surplus property. The bridge is more than 100 years old.

JASPER, Tenn. - The Marion County Commission has reversed a decision it made in November regarding the old Ellis Cove Road bridge in the Battle Creek area.

In November, officials said Road Superintendent Jim Hawk wanted the board to declare the 120-foot iron truss bridge surplus property so it could be sold after several parties expressed interest in buying it and moving it to another location.

The bridge has been in Marion County for over 100 years, even though it was replaced by a new one about 20 years ago to accommodate increased traffic to a nearby campground.

Several board members said they disliked the idea due to sentimental reasons or the bridge's potential historical value.

Commission Chairman Gene Hargis told board members to vote how they wanted, but he couldn't agree to the idea.

"I can't tear it down," he said at the time. "It's been there all my life."

The board voted 11-4 against declaring the bridge surplus property.

At the board's January meeting, Hargis said the issue re-emerged because there was some "misinformation" or it "wasn't explained well" in November.

Hawk told the board that he doesn't know how much money the county would get for the bridge since no one has made an official offer on it, but at least two people have inquired about the possibility recently.

"It's not going to be cut up for scrap or anything," he said. "It's supposed to be redone and refloored and put back on a farm up above [its current location]."

If the board stood firm on its decision in November, Hawk said access to the bridge should be blocked immediately to avoid liability issues if someone falls trying to cross the 10-inch-wide beams.

County Mayor David Jackson agreed and said the county could be liable for any accidents related to the bridge if the county maintains ownership.

"It's been down there for years and years and there's nothing ever happened, but now they've got a lot of campers coming in there," Hawk said.

The board voted unanimously to reverse its previous decision on the matter.

County Attorney Billy Gouger said Hawk would handle the bidding and selling of the bridge since it is property of the county road department.

The purchaser would be responsible for moving the bridge, Hawk said, but it would have to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.

"I'm hoping it will stay in Marion County," he said. "I don't want to sell it for scrap."

Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.

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