Tenn. Code Ann. § 65-21-202: Obstruction of public ways prohibited

The ordinary use of such public highways, streets, works, railroads, bridges, trestles, or structures shall not be thereby obstructed, nor the navigation of such waters impeded, and just damages shall be paid to the owners of such lands, railroads, and turnpikes, by reason of the occupation of the lands, railroads, and turnpikes by the telegraph or telephone corporations.