Monteagle truck stop project facing legal, community backlash

MONTEAGLE, Tenn. (WDEF) – Johnny Cash once sang about the dangers of trucking down Monteagle Mountain. 

However, residents on top of the mountain are warning about the dangers of a proposed truck stop.

Current state of the property where the Petro’s Truck Stop may be built. (From: United to Protect the Plateau)

Monteagle resident William Best recalled, “There are literally nights that the front doors of our residence, the windows will vibrate, because of the noise of the trucks idling across the street at a restaurant where they park 60 to 80 vehicles at night. We never heard that before.”

What was once a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Nashville for Best and his family surrounded by a forest has turned into a lot sanded in red clay.

Best said, “When the wind blows the dust comes off of that property. I’ve got videos of showing how heavy. There’s times you can barely see the buildings across the street.”

The developers of this lot plan to put a Petro’s Truck Stop along Dixie Lee Highway, which is owned by Travel Centers of America.

There is already a Pilot Travel Stop along the same stretch of road located off of exit 135 of I-24.

The site was announced in 2020 with 300 new trucking spaces.

However, it has faced numerous legal challenges from several Monteagle residents, alleging that the project came together in spite of zoning laws.

Best said, “We were told it would probably never happen, and the next thing we know, we show up at a Planning Commission meeting and they’re actually voting to approve a site plan.”

Best says one of his main concerns about the truck stop is the red clay that sits on top of the property.

He is concerned about its impact on Monteagle’s water source, Laurel Lake.

Best said, “Monteagle has one water source, and that’s Laurel Lake. We have proven time and time again that the runoff from the property goes directly to Laurel Lake.”

A notice was sent out to Monteagle residents last month stating that total halo-acetic acids were over the allowed amount in the city’s water.

The Monteagle Utility Public Board said in the notice that drinking the water over several years could lead to an increased risk of cancer.

There is no confirmed link between the property and these findings at this time, but it still leaves great concern for residents.

Best said, “There’s so much to this story a book could be written about it.”

The city of Monteagle told us they have no comment on the current state of this case.

Litigation is still pending at this time.

We also reached out to Travel Centers of America and developers for comment but have not heard back.