Cookeville City Council will consider the purchase Thursday of land and easements to facilitate the construction of a new northbound left turn lane on South Willow Avenue at Lee Seminary Road.
City Manager James Mills said the acquisition includes the necessary right-of-way to adjust turning radiuses for the intersection project. The intersection has seen an increase in traffic with the opening of the Park View Elementary School.
“And if you’ve traveled ever in the mornings through there, it backs up,” Mills said. “Everybody remembers where Bennett Industries used to be. It goes past that, so it can be this is much needed.”
Mills said the Tennessee Department of Transportation has already completed the design for the intersection improvements. Mills said the state agency intends to begin construction on the turn lane once the land purchase is finalized.
“We’re under the impression (Jon Ward) that T-DOT, once we can get this closed, they’ll immediately go into construction because it’s been designed,” Mills said. “So fingers crossed it could actually be done fairly quickly. They plan to move to that project when they complete the J-turn on 111 is what T-DOT’s told us.’
Mills said the total cost includes $35,538.40 for the property and additional funds to cover closing costs. Mills said the purchase price was reached following negotiations conducted over the last week.
“At our last meeting, the council authorized me to proceed with the purchase,” Mills said. “I wasn’t absolutely certain that I needed to get your approval since you’d already authorized it, but I wanted to go ahead and put it on the agenda so you can officially approve.”
Mills said the project specifically targets the traffic congestion occurring on South Willow Avenue for drivers turning onto East Seminary Road.
