Purpose

(1) Section 54-5-301 of the Tennessee Code authorizes the Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Transportation to adopt reasonable and proper rules governing the construction of driveway entrances into highways on the State Highway System in order to maintain proper drainage, preserve the roadway from damage, and prevent interference with or the creation of hazards to public travel. (2) The primary function of a state highway is to provide system continuity and efficiency of state highway system operation and maintenance activities. The Department of Transportation recognizes that property owners have the right of reasonable access to their property, and the Department will work with property owners and local government authorities to provide reasonable access to the state highway system that is safe and enhances the movement of traffic through a permitting process that assesses the number, location, width, and design of driveways. (3) These rules establish procedures to apply for a driveway permit on a state highway, standards or guidelines for granting a driveway permit, and provisions for requesting a variance from the standards established in these rules.