The City of Paris will begin the long-awaited replacement of the Rison Street Bridge near Johnson Park on Tuesday, July 8, 2026. The bridge will be closed to all traffic beginning July 8 while crews replace the existing structure.
The Project Contractor is Ford Construction and the replacement project is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2027.
Project Background:
The Rison Street Bridge was originally closed in October 2023 after inspections identified deteriorated conditions that made the structure unsafe for public use. The City had already secured grant funding and developed plans to replace the bridge, but unexpected Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) budget reductions delayed the project for more than a year.
Rather than leaving the bridge closed indefinitely, the City worked closely with TDOT to identify repairs that would allow it to safely reopen on a temporary basis. Following TDOT’s guidance and approval, Public Works completed the necessary repairs, and the bridge reopened to traffic in January 2025.
With construction funding and scheduling now in place, the full bridge replacement project is ready to move forward.
What to Expect:
Beginning July 8, the bridge will be completely closed to through traffic while crews demolish the existing structure and construct the new bridge. Motorists should plan to use alternate routes throughout the duration of the project.
The City understands this closure will create temporary inconveniences for residents and visitors, but this investment will provide a safer, more reliable bridge for the community for decades to come.
We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation during construction. Updates on the project’s progress will be shared on the City’s website and social media channels as work advances.