News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
T-DOT almost ready to start work on Baxter’s I-40 improvement project.
Mayor John Martin said T-DOT is currently working on surveying and flagging areas as preparations are being made. He said right now, they are awaiting T-DOT’s design approval to officially get dirt turning.
“We don’t really have anything as far as exit 280,” Martin said. “But I talked to T-DOT and the hope is that if the acquisition of right of way is completed in time, they’re hoping to let the contract for new Ditty Road and the widening of Baxter Road sometime in August.”
Martin said the $22 million project will make a third lane on Baxter Road up the hill to connect with new Ditty Road. He said that will help facilitate the increased truck traffic from Portobello.
Martin said the plans would also include tearing down the bridges and creating new ones with three lanes and a turning lane. He said the project was originally supposed to begin in March but was delayed due to slow right-of-way acquisition.
“It’s really, it’s needed,” Martin said. “I mean what with all the trucks that will be coming out of Portobello and all of the growth. There’s going to be a tremendous amount of homes built on the south side and right at on the north side of the interstate.”
