Fentress Commission Working For Solution On Black House Mountain Road

A public hearing in Fentress County Thursday night to help the county decide the next steps for offroad vehicles on Black House Mountain Road.

County Commissioner Lester Gooding said there was a good turnout of members of the community and representatives of the campgrounds nearby. He said there will be efforts for a compromise between the concern for safety while still allowing the opportunity for recreation.

“There are 4.5 miles of gravel road down through there,” Gooding said. “And the side-by-sides going through there are going too fast and they’re throwing the gravel off the road.”

Gooding said in his mind the next step will be to decide on the speed limit for the road. He said if it can be enforced, then it will help mitigate the issue.

This comes as part of a larger conversation about making it legal to drive off-road and recreational vehicles on a state route. Commissioner Leon Stepp said that process will have to involve state legislature as well.

“Just get signs up and help keep it safer for the traffic and people doing this,” Stepp said. “We want to work as much as possible as we can. I think some of them don’t understand the regulations you have to follow. The state trooper has to come down there and give you permission to ride on it, it has to go through the legislature.”

Commissioner Kim Davidson said this was a good opportunity to make sure community members and commissioners came together in discussion.