Stimulus package may be good news for Mack Hatcher
By Mindy Tate. Williamson Herald Editor
mtate@williamsonherald.com
A public hearing is set for next week in Franklin regarding the widening of Mack Hatcher Bypass, just days before Franklin officials meet with top level state transportation officials to talk about whether “the dam has been broken” for funding for the extension of the Mack Hatcher Bypass.
Thursday’s public hearing is set for 5 p.m. at Franklin City Hall, according to Julie Oaks, Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson.
“The meeting on Feb. 12 is a design public meeting to go over the widening project on Mack Hatcher between Murfreesboro Road (State Route 96) and Franklin Road (State Route 6),” Oaks said, adding for that section of road, funds have been dedicated for right-of-way, but not yet for construction.
But next Friday, Franklin officials hope to hear good news regarding funding for the northwest section of Mack Hatcher between Hillsboro Road and State Route 96 West. The all-important environmental impact study was recently completed on that section of the road and funding has been dedicated for preliminary engineering by Southern Land Co. The city of Franklin has agreed to pay for a portion of final design and right of way for this section. Right-of-way and construction phases have yet to be funded, Oaks said.
With word that Tennessee may get as much as $613 million in federal stimulus funding for highway and bridge construction, state and local officials are all wondering where the money will go.
“My impression is that TDOT is looking at the stimulus package and while Mack Hatcher can’t get stimulus money, it may free up money on other projects that can be funded by stimulus funds,” Franklin Mayor John Schroer said.
To be eligible for stimulus funding, a project must be ready to turn the shovel within 180 days of notice of stimulus approval, Schroer said, although design work, right-of-way acquisition and construction qualify for stimulus funding, according to Fourth Ward Alderman Dan Klatt.
“Shovel ready” means any of those components ready to implement within 180 days of funding and that local road projects could receive stimulus funding through the Metropolitan Planning Organization if they are identified on the city’s long-range thoroughfare plan, Klatt said. The city’s Capital Investment Plan Committee will consider a proposal to update the city’s major thoroughfare plan on Feb. 12, he added. The plan has not been updated since 2003 and there is some urgency because of the stimulus package, Klatt said.
While Mack Hatcher has been on state and local planning boards for 10 years, it is nowhere near that time frame.
And no decision has been made on stimulus funding, Oaks said.
“As far as stimulus funds are concerned, we are still waiting to see what action the Senate will take,” Oaks said. “Their bill is likely to differ from the House. According to the House bill, Tennessee would receive around $613 million for highway and bridge construction. Keep in mind that a portion of those funds will go to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations also.”
Tennessee is also likely to receive more than $62 million for transit, Oaks said.
Franklin City Administrator Eric Stuckey said city officials are trying to make sure they follow every step necessary to be ready to move quickly on Mack Hatcher or other projects that could benefit if the stimulus package gains final approval.
“You got to do this to be in the game. Any step along the way in the process is a good thing,” Stuckey said. “Nobody is quite sure when and how dollars will flow. We need to do everything we can do to be ready and get it ready.”
Posted on: 2/5/2009
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