Published: March 25, 2008 07:03 pm         

Public indicates preference toward Hwy. 127 improvements

Public response to the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s December 2007 Environmental Hearings indicates an overwhelming preference to improve and widen Hwy. 127 N from Crossville to Clarkrange in its existing location. As in previous hearings, the public shot down alternative sections proposed in new locations.

The TDOT hearings, held on Dec. 4 in Crossville and Dec. 6 at Clarkrange, invited comments on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and the project in general. Meeting attendees were given surveys to fill out, asking their alignment choices and design preferences, along with their comments.

TDOT asked for input on alternative routes on three sections of the 14 mile project from I-40 to Hwy. 62 in Clarkrange. A total of 398 surveys were filled out and showed strong support for utilizing the existing right of way.

In Segment #2, a two mile section in the Tabor community, 331 people preferred the existing route while 35 opted for an alternate route.

In Segment #3, a three and one-half mile section in the Woody community, 342 chose the existing route and 29 wanted the alternate.

In Segment #5, a four and one-half mile section of straight highway known as the “Rinnie Stretch,” 348 desired the existing route, while only 10 wanted the road on a new location.

HWY 127 NORTH SURVEY RESULTS

398 Surveys returned to TDOT

• Segment 2: from Tabor Loop to south of North Cumberland Elementary in Tabor.

In favor of existing route: 90 percent

In favor of alternate route: 10 percent

• Segment 3: from south of North Cumberland Elementary to No Business Creek in Woody.

In favor of existing route: 92 percent

In favor of alternate route: 8 percent

• Segment 5: from Lick Fork Creek to south of Mary Carr Rd in Rinnie.

In favor of existing route: 97 percent

In favor of alternate route: 3 percent

Many residents were concerned that options in new locations would divide parcels and farms and leave the county with extra sections of roads to maintain. Local resident Mark Hedgecoth feels the existing alignment “makes the most sense for environmental and financial reasons. No one wants their land cut in half and residents have lived here in anticipation that a 4-lane would not affect them if they lived off 127. There is no reason to cut through habitat and good farm land while leaving cost and upkeep for the old road to the county.”

These hearing results confirm a 2006 recommendation to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely by a TDOT appointed Citizens Resource Team, to utilize the existing alignment in all segments.

Claudia Goin, who lives on Hwy. 127N in the Isolene community, has carefully followed the process over the past seven years. “I believe the Citizen’s Resource Team did a wonderful job going over all the data that was given them. They considered the impact on farms, the environment, and people losing their homes, as well as safety issues. These hearing results clearly affirm that the public and the Resource Team are on the same page. It’s time for TDOT to move forward in a way that reflects their wishes.”

Three additional sections, labeled #1, #4, and #6, each offered only one choice, generally following the existing routes while veering off where necessary to straighten dangerous curves. There were very few comments from people who oppose the project as a whole, and several urged TDOT to move forward and stop wasting time. Longtime resident Junior Hixson commented, “There have been no improvements to this highway in my lifetime (58 years). This upgrade is desperately needed — NOW.”

The surveys also asked citizens for their choice of two highway designs to be implemented throughout most of the project. Out of 325 people who responded to this issue, 78 percent preferred a 5-lane with a center turning lane, while 22 percent chose a 4-lane divided highway with a grass median. Carolyn Boyce, who lives on Hwy. 127N in Rinnie, expressed concern about restrictions in making left turns with the divided highway /median design, “I trailer horses north to Big South Fork and will I have to travel south, find a turnaround and turn my rig and animals to head north?”

The vast majority of survey respondents live in the two counties of the proposed project, with 322 of them from Cumberland County and 35 from Fentress County. Over half of the respondents live on or within very close proximity to the highway; 83 residents who filled out surveys live on Hwy. 127N, while 128 participants live within one mile of the highway.

Commissioner Nicely is expected to announce a decision on the project very soon. Highway 127N Project manager Ann Andrews assured the public at the December hearings that results from this hearing will factor into the commissioner’s decision when deciding which alignments will be chosen.