Last updated: March 13, 2025
Place
Oak Ridge Wayside: Solway Bridge
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Subtitle
Portal to the Atomic Age
Main Text
Wartime Oak Ridge was sustained by a flow of commuters, the majority of whom passed over the Solway and Edgemoor Bridges. Built by Knox and Anderson Counties, these bridges predate WWII, and were controlled by the Manhattan Project when the fence was built around Oak Ridge. In 1943, under pressure from Tennessee Governor William Cooper, the Army agreed to pay Knox County $25,000 annually ($450,000 in 2024 dollars) for use of Solway Bridge and maintenance of the Oak Ridge approach roads in Knox County. By early 1944, heavy traffic into Oak Ridge had damaged the roads reducing the speed limit approaching the bridge to only 10 miles per hour. With heavy spring rains, the road washed out in February 1944. With no way to compel Anderson County to make repairs, Oak Ridge contractors began maintaining over 45 miles of Knox County roads.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads "Solway Bridge: Portal to the Atomic Age." The left of the panel includes a black and white aerial photo of a bridge over a river. The text of the panel is located at the bottom left. The right of the panel shows a color map of a series of boat launches along a river.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located at Solway Park/Boat Ramp in Oak Ridge, TN.
Portal to the Atomic Age
Main Text
Wartime Oak Ridge was sustained by a flow of commuters, the majority of whom passed over the Solway and Edgemoor Bridges. Built by Knox and Anderson Counties, these bridges predate WWII, and were controlled by the Manhattan Project when the fence was built around Oak Ridge. In 1943, under pressure from Tennessee Governor William Cooper, the Army agreed to pay Knox County $25,000 annually ($450,000 in 2024 dollars) for use of Solway Bridge and maintenance of the Oak Ridge approach roads in Knox County. By early 1944, heavy traffic into Oak Ridge had damaged the roads reducing the speed limit approaching the bridge to only 10 miles per hour. With heavy spring rains, the road washed out in February 1944. With no way to compel Anderson County to make repairs, Oak Ridge contractors began maintaining over 45 miles of Knox County roads.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads "Solway Bridge: Portal to the Atomic Age." The left of the panel includes a black and white aerial photo of a bridge over a river. The text of the panel is located at the bottom left. The right of the panel shows a color map of a series of boat launches along a river.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located at Solway Park/Boat Ramp in Oak Ridge, TN.