Paris, Tenn.–The city of Paris has almost completed the temporary repairs needed to reopen the Rison Street Bridge. City Manager Kim Foster said city crews are waiting on the weather to be warm enough to complete concrete repair. The bridge has been closed since October 2023 and delays by TDOT in construction of a new bridge have caused frustration within the community. Foster had said earlier the city is working with individuals within the Henry County Highway Department to coordinate work that will allow the city to temporariy reopen the bridge. The Rison Street bridge project has been frustrating with the delays from the state’s end of things. The City of Paris was first awarded an 80-20 grant for bridge replacement in 2019 but COVID happened, which placed state projects on hold. And now, TDOT has told the city of Paris they have a backlog of over 100 projects. Shannon McFarlin photo.