White County Highway 135 Reopens With One Lane
A portion of Highway 135 in White County partially reopened due to a portion of roadway washing out. This is two miles west of Highway 111, near Milk Plant Road. T-DOT Spokesperson Jennifer Flynn said the Bridge Inspection Team determined the concrete box culvert was having issues due to heavy rains. However, Flynn said that […]
Sparta Welcome Signs Moving To Bid Process
Sparta has cleared the last hurdle to begin the bid process for its gateway monument project. The two welcome signs will be erected on the north and south city limits along Highway 111. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the city has signed a T-DOT maintenance agreement, which is the last step involving the state. “We […]
Byrdstown Conducting Study For HWY 111 Truck Lanes
Byrdstown will conduct a corridor study along Highway 111 through a T-DOT grant. Mayor Sam Gibson said adding truck lanes on the north side of Highway 111 is the main focus. “On the south side, we have truck lanes on both sides,” Gibson said. “And that makes it really good for people if you have […]
Highway 111 Deli Feeding First Responders For Free
The Highway 111 Deli is offering free meals to any first responders in the Upper Cumberland. This comes after a long night of trying to restore power and mitigate weather effects on residents. Co-Manager Candice Threet said the deli saw several first responders this morning and the owner gave her the go ahead to feed […]
Snow Causes Multiple Electrical Outages In Cookeville
Two circuit outages in Cookeville led to about 4,000 electric customers losing power early Sunday morning. Cookeville Electric Director Carl Haney said the circuit outages took away power in the South Willow Avenue and East Spring Street areas. Haney said his crews started working on isolated outages in the city just after Midnight. “I’m not […]
Data Shows Highway 111, I-40 Intersection Traffic Lights Improved Safety
Last year’s installation of traffic lights at the Highway 111/I-40 intersection in Cookeville has increased safety. According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol, 18 months before installation, the intersection saw 18 accidents with six ending in injury. Captain R.C Christian since the traffic lights became operational in June 2019, 15 wrecks have occurred with only two […]
Jefferson Avenue Widening Remains On Track
The Jefferson Avenue widening project is still in its property acquisition phase, but remains on track for bidding in March 2021. T-DOT Community Relations Officer Jennifer Flynn said a total of 103 parcels are needed along the stretch from Interstate 40 to Highway 111. Flynn said the pandemic has slowed down acquiring properties. However, she […]
Sparta’s Taft Church Road Work Added to Next Paving Cycle
Work on Sparta’s Taft Church Road/Highway 111 intersection is set to begin in next spring’s paving cycle. The T-DOT project would add a turn lane going North into the Walmart parking lot. City Administrator Brad Hennessee said the city will apply for the T-DOT permit sometime next year. “With all the other projects we had […]
Burying Electric Lines On 10th Would Be Costly
As Cookeville’s 10th Street prepares for widening, many question if power lines along the entrance way could be buried. Cookeville Electric Director Carl Haney said many of the 10th Street power lines have five times more voltage than your regular power line. Haney said the price tag to bury those lines can skyrocket. “Once you […]
Councilman Wants Social Services Funding for Cookeville Panhandling
Councilman Charles Womack said he feels rushing to criminalize panhandling in Cookeville is premature. Cookeville City Council did not vote on a panhandling ordinance on Thursday night. Womack said he hopes City Manager James Mills will negotiate a way to use social services, instead of law enforcement. “I’m hoping that Mr. Mills is able to […]
