Tennessee Code Title 11. Natural Areas and Recreation § 11-18-104

(a) The state of Tennessee and its governmental or political subdivisions shall retain its and their title and ownership in and to and jurisdiction over all highways and thoroughfares over or contiguous to lands so acquired, and to all bridges and ferries forming parts of such highways or over streams affected thereby, together with the right to locate, relocate and reconstruct roads over such lands, and bridges and ferries over such streams as may be necessary to protect and improve the highways of the state and its subdivisions and to promote the free flow of commerce between the different communities of this state inter sese and other states.

(b) Federal agencies acquiring lands for public improvement in this state shall have no right to destroy or impair the use of any highway, bridge or ferry, public or private, without first compensating or making satisfactory arrangement with the owner thereof for another facility of equal service and value.