CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Red River Pedestrian Bridge project is coming up against some problems with its original design, along with issues using the existing abutments.

The Red River Pedestrian Bridge project began when a $4.5 million grant was awarded to Clarksville by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The pedestrian bridge will start near where the Austin Peay trail and the city trail meet on the south side of the Red River. The bridge will then cross the river to connect to the southern tip of the existing Clarksville Greenway, just east of Quarry Road.

2025 map of existing and future Clarksville Greenway trailheads in the downtown Clarksville area. (City of Clarksville contributed)

In July 2025, the City of Clarksville broke ground on the project with a planned completion date of this month.

At the Feb. 10 Parks and Recreation Committee meeting, City Parks and Recreation Director Jennifer Letourneau shared an update on the pedestrian bridge, mentioning issues with the design and the use of the abutments – the concrete structures on each end that formerly supported a railroad bridge. “We have a little bit of an issue were currently working through, that were talking to the designer about,” Letourneau said.

City spokesman Jimmy Settle confirmed to Clarksville Now that they have concerns and questions about using the existing abutments. Settle said the city is having the abutments independently evaluated before moving forward with the project.

Donation of land for Clarksville Greenway

In other greenway news, the City Council recently approved the first reading of an ordinance accepting the donation of land from Aspire Clarksville for Greenway development along Ringgold Road.

“The property on Ringgold Road, donated by Aspire, is one of several pieces of old railbed that will become a greenway, as outlined in our 2014 Greenway and Blueway Master Plan, contingent on funding,” Letourneau told Clarksville Now.

“Aspire has facilitated other greenway segments such as Crossland Avenue, the Taylor section of the Red River Trail, a section off Ashland City Road and a portion off of Pollard Road.”

William Avin contributed to this report.

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