State and federal officials gathered July 9 at the Jefferson County I‑40 west rest area to unveil new signage renaming the Interstate 40 bridge over the French Broad River in Dandridge the Donald J. Trump Bridge.
Officials, Trump family members in attendance
The roadside ceremony included U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, state Rep. Jeremy Faison and state Sen. Jessie Seal. Members of President Trump’s family represented him at the event, including his sister, Elizabeth Trump, and his sister‑in‑law, Ann Marie Pallan.
| Attendee | Role |
|---|---|
| Scott Bessent | U.S. Treasury Secretary |
| Marsha Blackburn | U.S. Senator (R‑Tenn.) |
| Tim Burchett | U.S. Representative (R‑Tenn.) |
| Jeremy Faison | State Representative |
| Jessie Seal | State Senator |
| Elizabeth Trump | President's sister |
| Ann Marie Pallan | President's sister‑in‑law |
New signs were installed on both sides of the bridge, which carries I‑40 across the French Broad River with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains and sits adjacent to Douglas Lake.
Remarks and context
"There is no one more deserving of it than Donald J. Trump,"
Bessent said at the ceremony, praising the president’s work for travelers and saying the bridge will carry Trump’s name for motorists who pass it. Bessent arrived in Dandridge after flying home with President Trump from the NATO summit in Turkey, and members of the president’s family distributed hats to attendees.
Speakers used the event to note recent infrastructure work in the region and to thank state and federal transportation officials. Sen. Blackburn, who attended with fellow Tennessee Republican leaders, framed the occasion around transportation and recovery following last year’s severe weather in parts of the state.
Local impact and what to know
The bridge spans a well‑traveled section of I‑40 in Jefferson County and serves both local traffic and drivers heading toward Knoxville and Interstate connections across East Tennessee. New signage is already in place and visible from the roadway. The ceremony did not include an announcement of new construction work tied to the renaming.
- When: July 9, 2026 — unveiling ceremony at the Jefferson County I‑40 West rest area.
- Where: Interstate 40 bridge over the French Broad River, Dandridge, adjacent to Douglas Lake.
- Who attended: Federal and state officials, members of the Trump family and local leaders.
The naming drew attention from elected officials and visitors to the rest area; organizers highlighted the bridge as both an infrastructure asset and a visible landmark for drivers crossing the river. For residents and travelers, the change is a straightforward signage update, though it dovetails with ongoing political conversations in the state.
