Concord Road expansion plans outline in public meeting
By Donna O'Neil, Staff writer
doneil@williamsonherald.com
Residents living along a stretch of Concord Road were introduced to the scope of the construction project this week in a public meeting at the Brentwood Library.
Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar led the kick-off meeting to make residents aware of the timeline and changes that would be coming their way throughout the project, slated to be completed by the end of 2012. He emphasized that the completion date was a “floating target” based on other factors, including utility company and construction timelines that have yet to be determined.
Richard Sullivan of Sullivan Engineering in Brentwood, the firm chosen to design the project. explained the concept. The project will widen Concord Road from two lanes to three lanes from Jones Parkway to Arrowhead Drive. The design will feature a continuous center turn lane, and a 6-foot shoulder, including curb and gutter. Sidewalks will be featured only on the south side of the road. A10-foot wide bike lane on the south side of the road from Wilson Pike to Arrowhead Drive, separated by a continuous green strip will be constructed. From Wilson Pike to Jones Parkway the only construction to be undertaken will be the bike path along the south side of the road, matching the improvements east of Jones Parkway.
Bednar introduced Jeff Donegan, Brentwood’s Public Works Director, as the “face” of the project.
“He will be the primary face of the city who will talk with residents about acquisition of property along Concord Road,” Bednar said. In some areas of the expansion, it will be necessary for the city to purchase easements in order to widen the road.
According to Bednar, the Tennessee Department of Transportation wanted to expand the road to five lanes through to Nolensville Pike. Bednar indicated that some properties along the road would suffer severe impact if that happened.
The acquisition process includes two independent property appraisals, which will be analyzed, resulting in an agreed upon dollar amount. Those amounts will be presented to Brentwood officials who will then approve the amounts and make the offers.
Bednar said, “Most likely property owners will begin seeing Donegan in 2011 with acquisition offers.”
Funding for the project will be funneled through TDOT. The $3 million tab will be paid through federal funds, with Brentwood picking up $650,000, equating to a 20 percent match, to qualify for funding. TDOT will oversee the construction of the project.
Rich Phillips, of RG Phillips Consulting, was on hand to discuss traffic studies that will be undertaken in relation to the project. He listened as concerned residents spoke about past and potential safety concerns, traffic signal requests and the ability to get out of their driveways.
Bednar, the Sullivan Engineering contingent and Phillips all emphasized that safety was the main concern in the Concord Road expansion project.
Also on hand at the meeting was Joe Matlock with TDOT’s environmental division. His charge is to oversee air and noise studies and to identify and monitor any endangered species, which may be found during the course of the project. “We will provide the tools necessary to meet the standards of air and noise regulations and to monitor archeological issues that may arise.”
Meeting attendees were provided with an information packet about the project, which included a comment sheet where residents, property owners and commuters could contribute their concerns in writing. Anyone wishing to provide commentary to be included in a report to TDOT on that stretch of Concord Road, is asked to send them in writing to Concord Road Project Comments, PO Box 788, Brentwood, TN 37024-0788 by Feb. 16. Alternatively, concerned individuals may contact Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar at 371-0060 or e-mail bednark@brentwood-tn.org; or Jeff Donegan, Public Works Director at 371-0080 or e-mail doneganj@brentwood-tn.org.
Posted on: 1/28/2010
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