State Route 95 (Oak Ridge Turnpike) Improvements
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has roadway
improvements proposed along SR 95 in three development phases.
Phase One from the I-40 Gallaher Road interchange to the SR95/58
interchange was completed summer 2003.
Phase Two - SR 95/58 interchange to near Westover Drive
The improvements along this 2.82-mile roadway section begin
at the SR95/58 interchange and extend to near Westover Drive.
From the SR95/58 interchange to Sweetgum Lane the improvements include
widening from the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway with
paved shoulders. Beginning at Sweetgum Lane the roadway will taper to a
five-lane roadway to transition between the DOE guard station. East of the DOE guard station the roadway will taper back to
the beginning of the Phase Three proposed project near Westover Drive.
Phase Two costs for right-of-way land acquisitions have been funded. Tentative bid date is uncertain. Staff Engineer to evaluate putting our water line in ahead of road work. Waiting on revised proposal from design firm.
Phase
Three - Westover Drive to SR 62 (South Illinois Avenue)
THE
PHASE THREE PROJECT IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION - CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING IS
TENTATIVE AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Last
update to project - August 7, 2008.
The
improvements along this 4.2-mile roadway section begin just west of Westover
Drive and extend to SR 62. The
improvements from Westover Drive to near Jefferson Avenue includes widening the
existing four-lane non-divided roadway section to a four-lane divided roadway
section with six feet shoulders to be designated as bike lanes, curb and gutter,
and sidewalks. The improvements
from Jefferson Avenue to SR 62 include widening to a five-lane roadway section
with shoulders designated as bike lanes, curb and gutter and sidewalks.
The
Tennessee Department of Transportation awarded the construction contract to
Rogers Group, Inc. in March 2008. Work
began on the project in early April 2008.
Work
currently under construction includes widening of the bridge over East Fork
Poplar Creek on the north side of
SR 95, underground relocation of water lines, gas lines and sanitary sewer
lines, overhead relocation of power poles and installation of storm drainage
lines. Some street lights have been
disconnected along portions of the project to allow for other utility work.
The speed
limit within the construction zone has been reduced to 35 MPH and will remain
until near the end of the project. The
Tennessee Department of Transportation and Oak Ridge City Council have endorsed
this temporary speed limit reduction.
On June 2, 2008, the four lanes of traffic were reduced to two lanes of traffic along the entire length of the project. The inside two lanes will be the permitted lanes of travel (one lane in each direction). At the four signalized intersections the exclusive left-turn lanes will remain for left turning vehicles onto side streets. The Turnpike outside lanes will be prohibited for general public travel and will be separated from the permitted inside two lanes of travel by orange construction barrels.
The
project completion date is July 2010. Motorists
should exercise caution and travel at or below the posted speed limit while
traveling within the construction zone.
In
1992 the City began a program designed to reduce the amount of Inflow &
Infiltration (I&I) entering the sanitary sewer collection system.
The reduction of I&I is important to eliminate occurrences of
untreated wastewater bypassing the collection system. This untreated water drains into the City’s stormwater
collection system or, in the case of bypasses on the sewer interceptor line,
directly into East Fork Poplar Creek. Also
reduction is important to reduce the cost of treating rainwater runoff that is
retained in the collection system and deposited at the Wastewater Treatment
Plant. Normal dry weather flow at
the plant is approximately five million gallons per day (MGD); however, during
wet weather events flow can exceed 25 MGD.
Additionally, the City hopes to reduce the cost of damage claims from
sewer backups.
To
date the City has let a total of 18 contracts as a result of the sewer rehab
program. Of those contracts 14 were for the direct purpose of reducing
I/I. There were two contracts to clean and inspect lines using closed circuit
television and two for the purpose of repairing or constructing sewer force main
lines. Approximately 211,248 feet
or 19 percent of the 1,100,000 feet of city-owned sewer pipe has been
rehabilitated. Staff believes that
it will be necessary to rehabilitate at least 25 percent of the system in order
to significantly reduce the problems resulting from I&I.
Decreases in flow in individual collector lines serving neighborhoods
where rehab has occurred have been observed.
Because of the City’s on-going voluntary commitment to reduce I&I
the City has avoided a State mandated program that would most likely be much
more aggressive and more expensive and would likely include a moratorium on new
customers which would effectively eliminate any new economic development.
At present, there is no construction work under contract; however, design or planning is underway for several projects that will take place over the next few years. At this time, City personnel are gathering data for design of the next sewer rehab project. This project will be designated as Contract “N” and will include repairs in the southern portion of Mini System E-11 along with repairs at all known point source problems located Citywide. Design is taking place for the replacement of sanitary sewer pumping stations located on Pumphouse Road and Graceland Road. In addition, City staff is evaluating plans for rerouting flow from development in the Southwest quadrant of Oak Ridge from the interceptor line located on South Illinois Avenue to the main interceptor along Oak Ridge Turnpike.
Pump
Stations
The design of Graceland Road and Pumphouse Road complete. Easements
done. Pre-bid 10/2 -open 10/16; to Council 11/17.
Growing
Triage List and Lower Part of II
Contract "N" - Target bid date in the Spring of 2009.
Main
Interceptor Options Analysis
LDA starting to look at options. Engineering is gathering data.
Point
Repairs
Need to rebid. High priority - plan to have to Council in January.
All work is complete. Plant expansion approved by Council on September 25, 2006. We are pursuing the next step in getting EPA grant to tie water to K-25. EID sent to the EPA on 10/1/06. Fonsi returned; will reconfirm our interest in continuing the process. W&O is now finished with the wastewater treatment plant. Plant went live on May 29, 2008.
City Engineer will hammer out the required maintenance agreement before the next acceptance moves forward.
We are doing preliminary sizing/pro-rating of required elevated tank and pump station for RCI to have to build for future platting.
To Council on May 5, 2008; waiting on RGI to mobilize.
Belgrade Road - Need to do something in FY 09; will do with Providence.
Plan to kick off next TDOT work on East Drive, Pennsylvania and Outer Drive. TDOT getting started with doing work.
Public Works and Planning Staff to attend mandatory pre-application meeting on "Safe Routes to Schools" grant program on December 4. Schools to send an attendee as well.
Grant team setup and the first meeting was December 12, 2007. Application to Council in February and submitted March 10. Awards delayed - no word from the State.