The City of Lebanon is moving forward with a series of construction projects to improve several sidewalks and some of the city’s most traveled corridors.
“We are nearing completion on some of these necessary projects and look forward to continuing our work through these improvements,” said Mayor Bernie Ash. “The continued maintenance of these popular roadways and sidewalks is important for safe and efficient travel and is vital in keeping our residents safe.”
Many of the planned projects fall under more of the 3R categories (resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation). In continuation of the city’s ongoing 3R improvements, the upcoming work includes completion of Phase 6 and 7 along existing transportation corridors:
Phase 6 construction is expected to begin later this fall and will include resurfacing and rehabilitation work on approximately 2.6 miles of road at Coles Ferry Pike from North Castle Heights Avenue to Hartmann Drive along with necessary ADA improvements. A separate project will repair the guardrail along this corridor. In addition, a section of road on Leeville Pike from Tuckers Gap Road to South Greenwood Street will also be resurfaced and minor ADA improvements will be added to the intersection at Castle Heights Avenue.
Phase 7’s resurfacing and rehabilitation work is scheduled to start next spring on approximately 2 miles of road including North Castle Heights Avenue from West Main to Baddour Parkway, Franklin Road from South Maple to Airport Drive, and Crowell Lane from Hickory Ridge to Leeville Pike.
“Several of these projects are accomplished using a combination of local, state and/or federal funding sources at an 80/20 split (20 percent local funds) using the Surface Transportation Block Grant. When the Engineering Department selects a project location, there are several factors that go into the process and we try to find projects that can be accomplished in a right-of-way that the City already owns so the projects can be completed safely, efficiently, and meet all necessary requirements of the funding grant,” said Regina Santana, Engineering Services Director.
An additional 3R project focused on sidewalk improvements involves rehabilitation and updating ADA requirements for approximately 2 miles of sidewalk near the Lebanon Town Square at the following locations: both sides of Greenlawn from West Main to Hill Street, both sides of North Hatton from West Main to Hill Street, the North side of East Market from North Cumberland to Owen Street, the East side of North College Street from East Market to East High Street, the North side of University Avenue from South Maple Street to South Greenwood Street, and the North side of C. L. Manier from McGregor Street to East Baddour Parkway.
Additional sidewalk improvements along both sides of North Tarver Avenue from Main Street to Hill Street and both sides of Greenlawn Drive are also underway. Curb ramps will be installed at the intersection of South Cumberland Street and Short Street and the intersection of South Hatton Avenue and West Spring Street to establish a proper ADA route. This project is fully funded by local funds and will start once the last two easements are received.
The series of projects allows for many improvements to various corridors and sidewalks throughout the city including two State Industrial Access (SIA) projects, which means the State of Tennessee will participate in funding a large portion of the actual construction. Those will involve the rehabilitation of the existing corridor at Briskin Lane from Cainsville Road to Sparta Pike to add a center turn lane, curb with a gutter, and a new traffic signal at the intersection with Sparta Pike and the extension of the existing Genesco Parkway to Callis Road as a standard two-lane industrial road. There are also plans to fill the existing gap in the sidewalk network along West Main Street from West Baddour Parkway to East of Signature Place with necessary ADA improvements at the traffic signals. This particular sidewalk project is fully funded by the State of Tennessee except for the needed utility relocations.
“These projects are designed to improve connectivity and accessibility and provide City residents with greater flexibility in their transportation options. We are excited to see so many needed projects moving forward,” said Kristen Rice, Transportation/Traffic Engineer.
For more information regarding the planned traffic and sidewalk improvements, please contact Regina Santana by email at rsantana@lebanontn.org.