News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
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 hope to have the project ready to go out for bids in a few weeks,” Hennessee said. “Then during the month of April we will evaluate bids, hopefully get that awarded, get a contractor on board, and we should see those gateway monuments sometime this summer.”
The signs will be about 15 feet high and constructed out of brick and stone with the city’s logo. Hennessee said the maintenance agreement confirms that the city will keep up with the grounds of the right-of-way.
“T-DOT actually deeds a portion of their right-of-way to the city of Sparta for the construction of those gateway monuments,” Hennessee said. “(…) The gateway monument has to be built inside that parameter. The city agrees to maintain that piece of property for 10 years.”
Hennessee said the Sparta Rotary Club has expressed interest in providing lawn care. T-DOT guidelines say a gateway monument is defined as any freestanding structure or sign, non-integral or non required highway feature that will communicate the name of a city or county.
