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Newly minted City Administrator Jason Quick responded recently to rumors about Oakwood Cemetery being disturbed by Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)’s widening of Wilson Avenue.

Concerns were aired on social media expressing worry about loved ones buried alongside the Wilson Avenue side of the cemetary.

Debate was sparked amongst commentators, and mention of contacting attorneys and discussions about eminent domain broke out in the comments posted on social media.

The proposed widening, which began in talks back in 2019, was highlighted as a collaborative plan between city and state, and proposed to fit the coming growth to the Tullahoma area.

“The widening on Wilson Avenue at Oakwood Cemetery will not disturb any graves,” Quick said in a statement. “The section of fence that was removed was for construction and slope easement. This means TDOT will have equipment close to that area and minor slope work. Also, TDOT wanted to assure that no damage to the fence would occur from construction activity.”

Quick noted that is oversight on the project to make sure plots in the cemetery are not impacted by the widening of the highway.

“State surveyors have been out there to ensure no graves will be disturbed,” he added. “That area has been staked numerous times in the last year for various state officials to do utility locates and other related construction-gathering information.”

Quick noted that the plan is to put the fence back to its present condition when the widening work is complete.

“The area will be re-staked before construction begins,” the city administrator said. “Once TDOT completes the project, the Public Works department will reinstall the fence, arches and columns.”