(a) For the purpose of this chapter, the highway authorities of the state, counties, cities, and towns may acquire private or public property and property rights for controlled-access facilities and service roads, including rights of access, air, view, and light, by gift, devise, purchase, or condemnation in the same manner as the authorities are now or hereafter may be authorized by law to acquire the property or property rights in connection with highways and streets within their respective jurisdictions.

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 54-16-104

  • Devise: To gift property by will.
  • Fee simple: Absolute title to property with no limitations or restrictions regarding the person who may inherit it.
  • Gift: A voluntary transfer or conveyance of property without consideration, or for less than full and adequate consideration based on fair market value.
  • Highway: includes public bridges and may be held equivalent to the words "county way" "county road" or "state road". See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Property: includes both personal and real property. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Road: includes public bridges and may be held equivalent to the words "county way" "county road" or "state road". See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) All property rights acquired under this chapter shall be in fee simple.
(c) In connection with the acquisition of property or property rights for any controlled-access facility or portion of the facility, or service road in connection with the facility, the state, county, city, or town highway authority may, in its discretion, acquire an entire lot, block, or tract of land, if by so doing the interests of the public will be best served, even though the entire lot, block, or tract is not immediately needed for the right-of-way proper.
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