ON MARCH 18, 2024, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1594, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, provide for the naming of certain roads and bridges in honor of certain specified persons, as follows:
(1) The segment of State Route 1 / U.S. Highway 70 in Cheatham County, beginning at the west side of the bridge spanning the Harpeth River and ending at Cheatham County - Dickson County boundary, is hereby designated the "PVT George Edward Joyce Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of George Edward Joyce, Private, United States Army, who served with distinction and honor in the Vietnam War while defending our freedom and our way of life and who made the ultimate sacrifice on December 5, 1965, when he was mortally wounded in the Battle of Ap Nha Mat in the Binh Duong province of Vietnam;
(2) The segment of State Route 131 (East Emory Road) in Knox County, beginning at the intersection of such route with Brown Gap Road and ending at the intersection of such route with Beeler Road, is hereby designated the "SPC Jeremy Daniel Evans Memorial Highway" to honor Jeremy Daniel Evans, Specialist, United States Army, who made the ultimate sacrifice on October 2, 2023, while conducting training with his fellow members of 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry, 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, in the Yukon Training Area, Alaska;
(3) The whole segment of the future Interstate 69 in Obion County is hereby designated the "SOC Aaron Carson Vaughn Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of Aaron Carson Vaughn, Special Operations Chief Petty Officer, United States Navy, who served with distinction and honor as a Navy SEAL while defending our freedom and our way of life and who made the ultimate sacrifice on August 6, 2011, when he was mortally wounded while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in the Maidan Wardak province of Afghanistan;
(4) The segment of U.S. Highway 11W / State Route 1 in Grainger County, beginning from the intersection of such route with Depot Street in the City of Blaine and ending at the Grainger - Knox county line, is hereby designated the "CPL John Lee Mattock Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of John Lee Mattock, Corporal, United States Army, a native and beloved resident of Blaine, Tennessee, who courageously served in the Vietnam War and who made the ultimate sacrifice on March 12, 1968, when he died from injuries received after his vehicle struck an enemy mine;
(5) The bridge (Bridge No. 80SR0850003) on State Route 85 (Kempville Highway) spanning Defeated Creek in Smith County, is hereby designated the "J.D. Hudson Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of J.D. Hudson, a courageous veteran, a well-known and highly respected resident of the Kempville community, and a beloved husband and father;
(6) The segment of State Route 1 (Rutledge Pike) within Knox County, beginning at mile marker 36 and ending at mile marker 37, is hereby designated the "PFC Glenn Paul Wood Memorial Mile" to honor the memory of Glenn Paul Wood, Private First Class, United States Army, who, during the Korean War, received the Purple Heart after being injured by an enemy grenade while serving in the artillery division, the Combat Infantry Badge, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars;
(7) The bridge (Bridge No. 65SR0290029) on State Route 29 / U.S. Highway 27 (Morgan County Highway) spanning Southern Railway in Morgan County, is hereby designated the "Dylan Kennedy Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of this twenty-two-year-old beloved son, brother, grandson, and resident of Morgan County, and graduate of Sunbright High School, who worked with his father at the family-owned and operated Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg and who enjoyed watching his brother Drew race;
(8) The segment of U.S. Highway 31 in Maury County, beginning at the intersection of such route with Unity Lane and ending at the intersection of such route with Morrow Lane, is hereby designated the "Allen Elias Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this well-respected veteran, business owner, and resident of Maury County.;
(9) The bridge on Lakeview Drive spanning Watauga Lake near the intersection of Lakeview Drive and State Route 167 (Roan Creek Road / Doe Creek Road) in Johnson County is hereby designated the "Sheriff Eddie Tester Memorial Bridge" to honor this well-respected native of Johnson County who devoted his life to public service and who was rightly recognized as a pillar of his community;
(10) The bridge on State Route 28 / U.S. Highway 127 spanning Scott Creek in Cumberland County is hereby designated the "David 'Dave' Warren Garrett Memorial Bridge" to honor this well-respected family man, friend, veteran, and resident of Cumberland County;
(11) The segment of State Route 222 in Fayette and Haywood counties, beginning at the intersection of such route with Interstate 40 in Fayette County and ending at the intersection of such route with State Route 1 / U.S. Highway 70 in Haywood County, is hereby designated the "Mayor Franklin Smith Memorial Highway" to honor Franklin Smith, III, a beloved public figure who served as the mayor of Haywood County for 26 years, and whose visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to economic development led to the groundbreaking development of Blue Oval City and the region's growth and development that will enhance the quality of life for all;
(12) The bridge on State Route 62 (Nashville Highway) spanning Little Clear Creek in Morgan County is hereby designated the "George W. McCartt Memorial Bridge" to honor this well-respected resident of Morgan County who was a decorated veteran of World War II and dedicated vocational educator with the Morgan County Board of Education;
(13) The eastbound bridge on U.S. Highway 321 spanning Foothills Parkway in Blount County is hereby designated the "PFC Clayton E. Narveson Memorial Bridge" to honor this well-respected resident of Blount County who served this country as a Marine in the Pacific Theater during World War II, participating in the battles of Tarawa and Iwo Jima, and who spent his many years on this earth being very involved with his family, church, and community;
(14) The bridge on State Route 34 / U.S. Highway 431 spanning Beaver Dam Creek in Johnson County that is currently designated as the "Robert Taylor Scott Memorial Bridge" is hereby also designated the "Daley Hobart Scott Memorial Bridge" to honor this beloved son of Johnson County, and cousin of Robert Scott, who served his country above and beyond the normal duty during World War II, having been a prisoner of war in the South Pacific;
(15) The segment of State Route 20 in Lewis County, beginning at mile marker 9 and ending at mile marker 10, is hereby designated the "Raymond and Rebecca Tanner Commemorative Highway" to honor the memories of these highly regarded residents of Lewis County, who through their countless contributions and dedication to helping and serving others made a positive impact on their community for over five decades;
(16) The northbound and southbound segments of Interstate 65 in Davidson County, beginning near the I-65 South / I-40 East Interchange and ending at the Hamilton Avenue overpass, is hereby designated the "Dr. Lois Jordan Highway" in honor of this accomplished and inspirational public servant to the City of Nashville, who served as the first woman and the first African-American woman on the Metropolitan Nashville City Council to be elected on her own merit, representing District 17, and as a dedicated educator at Pearl-Cohn Comprehensive High School, and currently serves as a political strategist and leader, and guest speaker for several community organizations;
(17) The segment of U.S. Highway 64 (State Route 15) in Fayette County, beginning at the intersection of such route with Clay Street in the Town of Oakland and ending at the intersection of such route with Lakewood Drive in the Town of Oakland, is hereby designated the "Lee Yancey Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this beloved husband, father, stepfather, and brother, and highly respected and hardworking resident of the Oakland community who devoted his time to the family business and The Yancey Farm;
(18) The segment of State Route 78 in Lake County beginning at the intersection of such route with Madie Road and ending at the intersection of such route with Riley Road is hereby designated the "Brittany Danielle Goodman Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this outgoing, caring, and loving friend to all who was an active volunteer throughout her community and who was taken from this life much too soon;
(19) The newly constructed sidewalk running along State Route 93 in the Fall Branch community of Washington County is hereby designated the "George 'Coach' Moody Memorial Path" to honor the memory of this highly regarded resident of the Fall Branch community, who provided great service to Washington County and the community through the positive influence he had on the thousands of children he coached over the years;
(20) A one-hundred-yard segment of State Route 78 in Lake County, centered on the location of the April 7, 2019, accident that claimed the life of Monty Merriweather, is hereby designated the "Monty Merriweather Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this highly regarded native of Lake County, whose life ended suddenly and unexpectedly in an accident caused by an impaired driver;
(21) The segment of State Route 374 (Warfield Boulevard) in the City of Clarksville, Montgomery County, beginning at the intersection of such route with Memorial Drive and ending at the intersection of such route with Ted Crozier Sr. Boulevard, is hereby designated the "Mayor Don Trotter Highway" to honor the legacy of this highly regarded former mayor of the City of Clarksville, who served in that role for 16 years and, among his many contributions, was instrumental in the development of Clarksville's riverfront by establishing the River District Commission;
(22) The bridge on U.S. Highway 70 (Sparta Highway) spanning Center Hill Lake near the Sligo Resort and Marina in DeKalb County is hereby designated the "Darwin Gard Memorial Bridge" to honor the life of this well-respected resident of the City of Smithville;
(23) The bridge on U.S. Highway 70 (Nashville Highway) nearest the intersection of such route and Old Dry Creek Road west of the bridge spanning Dry Creek in the Town of Dowelltown in DeKalb County is hereby designated the "Officer Joseph Michael Bowen Memorial Bridge" to honor this Lebanon Police Officer and resident of DeKalb County who was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident while heading home after the end of his shift;
(24) The entire segment of U.S. Highway 70 (Nashville Highway) located in the Town of Liberty in DeKalb County is hereby designated the "Mayor J. Edward Hale Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of John Edward Hale, Jr., a highly regarded public servant who served as mayor of the Town of Liberty for 42 years;
(25) The bridge on State Route 57 spanning Sandy Creek in Fayette County is hereby designated the "Lewis R. Bradford Memorial Bridge" to honor this influential and well-respected member of the Hayes Crossing community in Fayette County;
(26) The bridge on State Route 57 spanning Teague Branch Creek in Fayette County is hereby designated the "James Marcus Teague Memorial Bridge" to honor this veteran of the United States Navy and devoted, lifelong educator who served as the superintendent of Fayette County schools;
(27) The interchange for Hollywood Drive and Interstate 40 in the City of Jackson, Madison County, is hereby designated as the "W.G. 'Sonny' Dement, Jr. Interchange" to honor the legacy of this business leader who launched the Dement Construction Company in Jackson in 1977 and embarked on a four-decade-plus period of successfully completing hundreds of significant transportation projects ranging across Tennessee and throughout the states of Alabama and Mississippi while laying the foundation for the economic success of this area;
(28) The interchange for Opry Mills Drive and State Route 155 (Briley Parkway) in Nashville is hereby designated as the "Grand Ole Opry Star Jeannie Seely Interchange" to honor the incredible legacy of Jeannie Seely, the influential singer and songwriter affectionately known as "Miss Country Soul," who has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since September 16, 1967;
(29) The segment of State Route 53 (Granville Highway) in Smith County, beginning at the intersection of such route with U.S. Highway 70N / State Route 24 and ending at the Smith County-Jackson County boundary, is hereby designated the "James Edward Clemons Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this well-respected farmer, business owner, and resident of Smith County;
(30) The bridge on Gap Creek Road spanning Gap Creek and located north of John Taylor Road in Carter County is hereby designated the "SSG Ira Lynn Meredith Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of Ira Lynn Meredith, Staff Sergeant, United States Army, a native of Carter County, who volunteered to serve in World War II and who displayed extraordinary heroism before making the ultimate sacrifice in France on June 9, 1944, when, after his unit was ambushed, he charged a machine gun nest destroying the gun and killing several enemy soldiers and continued valiantly advancing on other enemy positions before taking mortal wounds. Staff Sergeant Meredith was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart and the Distinguished Service Cross, which is the second-highest military decoration;
(31) The bridge on U.S. Highway 70S (Harding Pike) spanning Sugartree Creek near the intersection of such route with Lynnwood Terrace in Nashville is hereby designated the "Richard J. Eskind Memorial Bridge" to honor this native Nashvillian, noted philanthropist, financial business leader, and healthcare entrepreneur who helped Nashville grow into the thriving and welcoming community it has become;
(32) The segment of U.S. Highway 41A (Nolensville Pike) in Nashville, beginning at the northern side of the railroad bridge spanning such route immediately north of the entrance to the Nashville Zoo at Grassmere and ending at the intersection of such route with State Route 255 (Harding Place), is hereby designated the "Rick Schwartz Wild Works Way" to honor the legacy of the president and CEO of the Nashville Zoo, who has been heavily involved in conservation for almost 30 years, and who, since lending his expertise to a group of Nashvillians building a local zoo in 1989, has been the director and primary architect of Nashville Zoo, building facilities, designing the exhibits, and working extensively with other zoos throughout the country to develop the outstanding collection of species represented at Nashville Zoo;
(33) The bridge (Bridge No. 41SR1000009) on State Route 100 spanning Beaverdam Creek in Hickman County is hereby designated the "Sammie Joe Durham Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of Sammie Joe Durham, a selfless and courageous World War II veteran who was known locally for multiple acts of bravery in the Battle of Tinian in 1944, a highly respected native of Hickman County, and a notable musician who played on WSMV radio broadcasts with his brothers;
(34) The segment of State Route 53 (Gainesboro Highway) in the City of Celina and Clay County, beginning at the junction of such route with State Route 52 (Brown Street) and ending at the intersection of such route with Clifton Rich Road, is hereby designated the "Bill Rich Memorial Highway" to honor the memory of this well-respected World War II veteran who proudly served Celina and Clay County for over 40 years as a law enforcement officer and over 15 years as a school bus driver for Clay County schools;
(35) The northbound bridge on State Route 385 at mile marker 46.2 in the City of Millington in Shelby County is hereby designated the "Ed Haley Bridge" in honor of this dedicated, highly respected public servant, who has served as the City Manager of the City of Millington for nine years and whose guidance has contributed to the city's prosperity;
(36) The segment of the road (formerly Lindsley Avenue) in Davidson County, Tennessee, beginning with the intersection of such road with President Ronald Reagan Way (formerly 2nd Avenue South) and ending at the intersection of such road with the road (1st Avenue South), which is currently designated pursuant to Chapter 351 of the Public Acts of 2021 as the "President Ronald Reagan Way" must no longer be designated as the "President Ronald Reagan Way";
(37) The segment of Interstate 40 beginning at mile marker 47 and ending at mile marker 56 in Haywood County, which is currently designated pursuant to Chapter 251 of the Public Acts of 2023 as the "Bishop William H. Graves, Sr. Memorial Highway", is no longer designated as the "Bishop William H. Graves, Sr. Memorial Highway";
(38) The bridge (Bridge No. 73I00400003) on Scenic Drive spanning Interstate 40 in the City of Harriman in Roane County, is hereby designated the "Edgar R. 'Buddy' Bowers Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of this courageous veteran, loving husband and father, dedicated resident of Harriman who served on several boards and foundations, and highly respected attorney who served as Vice President and General Counsel of Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation; and
(39) The bridge on Interstate 40 at the exit for Industrial Park Road (Exit 362) in Roane County, is hereby designated the "Dr. John A. Auxier Memorial Bridge" to honor the memory of this courageous veteran and beloved husband and resident of the City of Oak Ridge, who was recognized with numerous achievement awards and honors for his lifetime of contributions to health physics and nuclear engineering, and who served as an influential research scientist at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for 27 years and founded the Oak Ridge Free Medical Clinic.
ON APRIL 11, 2024, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1594 FOR HOUSE BILL 1607 AND RESET SENATE BILL 1594.
ON APRIL 22, 2024, THE HOUSE FURTHER CONSIDERED SENATE BILL 1594, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1594, AS AMENDED.
AMENDMENT #2 provides that the bridge on U.S. Highway 31E (Johnny Cash Parkway) spanning Drakes Creek near Memorial Park and the intersection of such route with Clearview Circle in the City of Hendersonville is hereby designated "The Oak Ridge Boys Bridge" to honor this legendary country and gospel musical group with a distinctive sound that has toured and recorded award-winning music for fifty years. The department of transportation is directed to erect suitable signs or to affix suitable markers designating the bridge as "The Oak Ridge Boys Bridge". The erection of the signs must be within the guidelines prescribed by the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, and within state supplemental guidelines, as applicable.
This amendment becomes operative only if the cost of the manufacture and installation of the signs is paid to the department of transportation from nonstate funds within one year of the effective date of this bill. The payment must be made prior to any expenditure by the state for the manufacture or installation of the signs. The department must return any unused portion of the estimated cost to the person or entity paying for the signs within 30 days of the erection of the signs. If the act