Winter weather often brings questions about road conditions and who is responsible for clearing, treating, and maintaining specific roads. With recent snow and icy conditions, we have seen understandable confusion about which agency is responsible for which roads in Paris and Henry County.
The answer depends on whether a road is classified as a city street, a county road, or a U.S. or State Route.
Below is a simple breakdown to help clarify responsibilities.
City of Paris Streets
The City of Paris Public Works Department maintains streets located within Paris city limits that are not designated as U.S. or State Routes.
This includes:
- Residential streets
- Neighborhood roads
- Local city streets that are not numbered highways
(Examples: Chickasaw Road, Jim Adams Drive, Volunteer Drive, Lone Oak Road, etc.)
City of Paris Public Works Contact
Phone: 731-642-0473
Email: publicworks2@cityofparistn.gov
Henry County Roads
The Henry County Highway Department maintains roads that are outside Paris city limits and are not U.S. or State Routes.
This includes:
- County backroads
- County side streets
- Roads in unincorporated areas of Henry County
Henry County Highway Department Contact
Phone: 731-642-3162
Email: rchilcutt@henrycountytn.org
U.S. and State Routes
All U.S. Highways and Tennessee State Routes are maintained by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), even when those roads run directly through the City of Paris.
This includes major routes and locally named streets that are part of the state highway system.
Examples of TDOT-Maintained Roads in Paris
- Highways 641, 69, 218, and 79
- Mineral Wells Avenue
- Tyson Avenue
- Wood Street
- Market Street
- Memorial Drive
Because these roads are designated as U.S. or State Routes, the City of Paris does not control maintenance decisions for them, including plowing, salting, or treatment schedules.
TDOT Contact
Phone: (615) 741-2848
Email: TDOT.Comments@tn.gov
Working Together During Winter Weather
During snow and ice events, city, county, and state crews are all working at the same time, each within their own areas of responsibility. While maintenance responsibilities are divided, the shared goal is the same: improving road conditions and keeping the community as safe as possible.
Communication and coordination between agencies help ensure emergency routes, essential services, and major corridors are addressed as conditions allow. Winter weather events can be challenging and progress may be slower than everyone would like, but crews at every level are actively working together to respond as effectively and safely as possible.
We appreciate the patience, understanding, and cooperation of our residents as these efforts continue.