Collegedale receives Municipal League award for Excellence in Public Works

Following a train derailment that damaged an important intersection on a major thoroughfare in the community, Collegedale Public Works immediately went to work ensuring the safety of citizens and has continued to work to repair the damages sustained during the accident. 

In recognition of the concerted efforts made by the Collegedale Public Works Department to respond quickly and efficiently to this incident, the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) is pleased to present Collegedale with an award for Excellence in Public Works. The award will be presented Tuesday, July 25, at the TML 83rd Annual Conference held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.   

On Dec. 20, 2022, a truck struck a Norfolk-Southern train that was carrying a 137-foot concrete beam, resulting in a train derailment. Police said the driver attempted to drive across the railroad crossing but stopped halfway across the tracks, bringing his tractor trailer into the on-coming lane of traffic when the train hit.   

The derailment caused three engines and 10 rail cars to leave the tracks. This also resulted in damage to the city greenway and sidewalks. Collegedale Public Works employees were on the scene within seconds of the crash as one employee was driving by when it happened. This employee immediately checked on the safety of the people on the train and surrounding area. A code enforcement officer also immediately responded from his office and provided first aid to one of the train engineers until EMS could arrive.  

Public works employees then aided police and fire officials with clearing the area of people, directing traffic, and helping set up barrels, cones, barricades, and traffic signs to both detour people around the site and be able to respond in case of fire.  

Additionally, the public works department assisted with transporting and deploying boom socks along the nearby Wolftever Creek to catch any diesel fuel and oil lost in the accident before it could negatively impact local waters.  

In the aftermath of the incident, the public works department has designed, bid out, and worked alongside contractors to repair the damage caused by the accident to the roadways, greenway, and damaged sidewalks. In addition, public works employees have also helped with the creation of detours and safety signage to direct traffic around the site while repairs are ongoing.