CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The opening of the Red River Trail of the Clarksville Greenway this year has provided an unexpected benefit: the ability for passersby to get a look at the condition underneath the nearly 70-year-old Kraft Street Bridge. Recently, visitors have noticed chipping concrete around rusted beams, and a crack running down one of the support pillars.
Clarksville Now visited the site to inspect the structure, and reached out the Tennessee Department of Transportation, which owns and maintains the bridge, to see if they have concerns about its condition. Their assessment: The bridge is safe, but is due for replacement soon.
Condition of Kraft Street Bridge
The Kraft Street Bridge was built back in 1956. The date of its last inspection was Sept. 9, 2024, according to TDOT. The bridge is inspected every 24 months.
When grading a bridge’s condition, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TODT) examines the deck, superstructure, substructure and culvert, according to their website. If the lowest rating is greater than or equal to 7, the bridge is classified as “good.” If it is rated 5 or 6, the bridge is classified as “fair.” If it is less than or equal to 4, the classification is “poor.”
For the Kraft Street Bridge, the deck was rated a 6 (fair), the superstructure 5 (fair), and the substructure 4 (poor).
The Kraft Street Bridge has been recommended for improvements, with a total project cost in 2022 of $2.7 million. That’s $1.8 million for bridge improvements, and more than $180,000 for roadway improvement costs.
Kraft Street Bridge safe, but scheduled for replacement
TDOT spokesperson Halen Tyler told Clarksville Now they are monitoring the Kraft Street Bridge through their routine inspections and are currently ruling the bridge safe for all loads.
“While the bridge’s official current condition classification is ‘poor,’ it currently has no weight restrictions, is safe for passage for all loads, and is not in danger structurally. However, if the condition was to change, the structure will be inspected and monitored through shorter inspection cycles,” Tyler said.
Tyler did say that the Kraft Street Bridge in Clarksville is currently on the TDOT Structure Division’s list for a full replacement, with preliminary engineering scheduled in fiscal year 2027 and construction scheduled for fiscal year 2029.
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