Published: September 03, 2007 01:49 pm         

Highway 127/70 connector takes another crucial step

A road connecting Highway 127 N to Highway 70 N near I-40 has been talked about as a badly needed alternate route for a number of years and it looks like it is finally becoming a reality.

Northside Drive has existed in a very rough form for many years, but a partnership between the city and William Graham will pave and improve the road to be passable and usable in the near future. Because William Graham and Mayor J. H. Graham are relatives, Mayor Graham recused himself by temporarily turning the meeting over to Mayor Pro Tem Boyd Wyatt and leaving the room during the discussion of the matter at the council's regular August meeting.

Graham's letter to the city proposed that the city pave the road from Highway 70 N to the old railroad right of way and Graham would pave the remaining section through his property, bringing it up to the standards of the Crossville Regional Planning Commission. Graham would also dedicate a 50 foot temporary right of way for the road and the city would maintain the road once it is complete.

At some point in the future the road will become the middle section of the new Northwest Connector and under the proposed agreement, any right of way not needed for the Northwest Connector will then revert to Graham.

Councilman Carl Duer commented that the road "will be a busy road when it is finished."

Mayor Pro Tem Wyatt added that it should take some traffic off of the very busy Elmore Road. The city's cost for the paving is expected to be around $30,000.

The motion approving the proposal was approved by four yes votes.

The council also approved an agreement with Tennessee Department of Transportation as part of the improvements planned for the widening of the Peavine Road bridge across I-40. The agreement covers things like utility easements, traffic control devices and signage among other things.

The entire cost of the project is being paid for by the state. The council authorized the mayor to sign the agreement.

Equipment purchases for both the Crossville Police and fire department were approved at the council meeting. The fire department was approved for the purchase of needed SCBA breathing devices including seven standard and four hazardous materials units. The standard units last 30 minutes; the units used in Hazmat suits last for 60 minutes. In addition the purchase of 65 voice amplifiers used to communicate while firemen are wearing breathing masks was approved by the council. The total cost of the items is $63,975.

Also approved by council was the purchase of 12 rapid response tactical protective vests along with 12 level IV trauma plates for a total cost of $17,148. The protective vests are more substantial then previous bullet-proof vests and will be used by the Police Department's Tactical Response Team.

Police Chief David Beaty told council the new vests would stop 308 caliber ammunition along with 7mm assault rifle and 12 gauge slugs. The old vests would only stop small arms fire.

Both purchases were unanimously approved by the council.

Retiring Crossville Tree Board members Billy Swafford and Roger Thackston were recognized by the city for their service. Both men have been members of the tree board and helped get numerous grants that have paid to plant many trees in the city as well helping the city be recognized as a Tree City USA.

The Crossville City Council agreed to move their September meeting earlier on Sept. 11, 2007 because of a community-wide memorial service commemorating those killed in the 9/11 attacks on New York and Washington, DC to be held at 6 p.m. that evening. The council meeting will be moved back to 4:30 p.m. for the council's regular September meeting.