Roads and Bridges--integral part of a good transportation system--are so important to Shelby County residents that assigning responsibility for road building was one of the first acts of the Shelby County Government in May, 1820.

Today the Roads and Bridges Department's responsibilities have grown to the creation, maintenance and replacement of 211 bridges, approximately 800 miles of road way and 3100 miles of drainage easements.

It is also responsible for:

• Mowing and maintaining the 1600 miles of road easements with Shelby County and the 3000 county-owned lots. 
• Removal and disposal of roadside litter.  Approximately 120,000 pounds of roadside litter are picked up daily.
• Patching potholes in County roadways.  An average of 74 potholes are repaired each day.
• Cutting and re-grading of roadside ditches.  An average of  2.7 miles of ditch maintenance is completed daily.
• Removal and disposal of dead animals in the unincorporated area of Shelby County.

The department is solely funded through gasoline taxes collected by the State of Tennessee.

To report potholes, debris on Shelby County roadways or other matters handled by the Roads and Bridges Department, call the Mayor's Assistance Center at (901) 545-4584.