I-69 route to be told in April?

Norris says TDOT will make announcement

By Greg Little, Managing Editor, The Covington Leader
March 21, 2006

State officials have told a state senator the route for Interstate 69 will be announced in April.

They did not say when in April it will be made.

Sen. Mark Norris said this week his office was informed of the plans by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

Norris, R-Collierville, is chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

Late last year, officials from TDOT held a series of public hearings in West Tennessee to get public input about where the route of the proposed interstate should be placed.

To date, the route from Dyersburg to Millington has not yet been established.

During those hearings, officials said they would make an announcement about the route in the first quarter of 2006. That would mean the announcement would have to come by March 31.

But last week, TDOT spokesperson Pamela Marshall said there would likely be a delay in that announcement because the decision had yet to be made. She cited environmental concerns along the proposed routes as one of the main reasons for the delay.

Norris said he is frustrated with the entire process.

“It’s about planning,” said Norris.

Norris said local elected leaders and residents are frustrated because they cannot make future plans in any areas which the route may be placed.

Those run the gamut from people who could lose their homes to business people who would like to develop around the interchanges.

It also includes subdivision developers, local planners and people who might want to relocate their businesses near the interstate.

Those frustrations by local leaders were evident last week during a meeting of the Tipton County Joint Economic and Community Development Board.

“I haven’t hear anything,” said Tipton County Executive Jeff Huffman. “I don’t see a lot of enthusiasm on the part of TDOT to get in any hurry.”

Lee Johnston, executive director of the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce, said he is also frustrated with the process.

“They have got to let us know something,” said Johnston.

Johnson said it is critical for people developing subdivisions.

“If they don’t let us know, these subdivisions are going to be built,” said Johnston.

Huffman said he thinks the state should have put a moratorium on construction in all areas where the routes have been proposed.

“It’s going to cost them more in the long run,” said Huffman.

The route options discussed by TDOT include running the interstate west of Highway 51, east of Highway 51 or a combination of both where it would cross Highway 51 at some point.

Arguments for and against all of the routes were voiced during the public hearings last year.

Tennessee House Speaker Jimmy Naifeh also said he didn’t know where the interstate would be routed.

"I have been working with the Department of Transportation for several years while they have tried to determine what route I-69 will be taking. As far as I know at this time, there is no definite route,” said Naifeh.

Marshall said last week TDOT officials are having to consider all of the public comments, which were many because of a large turnout of citizens at all of the meetings.

Norris said he thinks TDOT officials have to make the announcement as soon as possible.

“People are frustrated,” said Norris.

Huffman said the process has delayed Tipton County from developing a master plan. In that plan, I-69 would be a major focus, he said.

“We may have to come up with a Plan A and Plan B with east and west corridors,” said Huffman.

Norris said he thinks another factor involved in the delay could be related to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. Following a scandal in the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Nicely was named the interim director of the Department of Safety — a position he holds to this day.

Nicely remains the head person at TDOT, as well.

Both of those agencies have oversight by the Senate Transportation Committee.

Nicely will make the final decision about the route and will likely get the input of Gov. Phil Bredesen before making that decision.