Farragut drivers have wondered for years when the proposed improvements to the cramped Union Road might finally materialize.
Leland Duckworth, who lives in one of the subdivisions along the route, told Knox News the road is so narrow that cars sometimes have to move off to the gravel on the side of the road to let others through.
"It's just a terrible road," Duckworth said.
Farragut aims to improve Union Road from South Hobbs Road to Everett Road, as well as along South Hobbs Road from Kingston Pike to Union Road.
The current 14-foot roadway will be widened to two 11-foot lanes that will include curb and gutter. The town will also build a 10-foot shared-use path on the north side of the road, Town Engineer Darryl Smith said.
Plans for the project
have been complete for roughly a year. Smith told Knox News the town has been waiting on certifications for rights of way and easements from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Since its inception in late 2017, the process has seen a number of delays.
"Unfortunately, COVID seemed to slow down reviews of many items pertinent to development of the project," Smith wrote in an email to Knox News. "Additionally, we’ve taken a steady approach to acquiring ROW (right of way) and easements, as we prefer to not acquire by eminent domain."
The project likely will be ready for bids in January or February next year. The town aims to start construction in the spring, and work will take 16 to 18 months to complete, Smith said.
All told, the project is estimated to cost $9,794,500, according to the TPO's Transportation Improvement Program.
According to a 2019 planning presentation, funding for the improvement is a 80/20 federal to local mix. The federal funds come from Surface Transportation Block Grants through the Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization. The local match comes from town funds.
Anthony Nicotera covers public safety for Knox News. Email: anthony.nicotera@knoxnews.com
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What's that plan to widen Union Road so it can actually fit two cars?
