News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Local and state officials gathered Wednesday to celebrate the completion of Putnam County’s 5th Interchange.
The $23.4 million project began in 2016 and included construction of a new interchange at mile marker 283 and the grading, drainage, and paving on a state industrial access road, now known as Academy Road.
Putnam County and Tennessee State officials cut the ribbon to officially open Putnam County’s Fifth Interchange on Exit 283. (Photo Credit: Logan Weaver)
Cookeville Mayor Ricky Shelton said the interchange opens the surrounding land to development opportunities.
“Everything you see is farmland right now,” Shelton said. “Eventually, five, 10, 15 years from now you will see development here and it’s just exciting.”
Putnam County Executive Randy Porter said the area around the Exit 283 interchange could look different in several years.
“This is going to open up a lot of land that, before, did not have a lot of infrastructure or good roads coming into it,” Porter said. “I think if we look at this interchange in five years from now, it’s going to be unbelievable the amount of growth we’re going to see.”
Shelton said potential development in the surrounding area will not be limited to the space near the interchange.
“There’s so much land north that can also be developed in various ways,” Shelton said. “Whether it be subdivisions or businesses, we’ll see what the future holds.
Porter said it’s most of Cookeville’s growth in recent years has been westward, which could potentially help areas like Baxter.
“I think this is going to be a big part of it,” Porter said. “Rarely do you go anywhere that they build a new interchange, that you don’t see any major growth within the next several years.”
The city of Cookeville recently completed two Local Interchange Connector projects that were constructed in conjunction with TDOT’s interchange project, and TDOT completed a $1.9 million state industrial access project on what is now known as Tennessee Avenue.
“We are extremely pleased to be here with our state and local partners and the citizens of Cookeville and Putnam County to celebrate the completion of this important project,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “The new interchange and the improved connector roads have already proven to be beneficial in increasing economic development in the area with the opening of the Academy Sports + Outdoors distribution center. This successful collaboration shows that partnership, persistence and teamwork pays off.”
