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 three-mile roadway section begin at the SR 95/58 interchange and extend to near Westover Drive.  From the SR 95/58 interchange to Southwood Lane, the improvements include widening from the existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane divided roadway with paved shoulders.  Just east of Southwood Lane, the roadway will taper to a five-lane section with paved shoulders and continue to Westover Drive.  In the area of Westover Drive, the roadway will taper back to the beginning of the Phase Three project where a four-lane divided roadway is being constructed.

The construction contract has been awarded to G.W. Wyatt and installation of erosion control measures have been completed.  Beginning in late December 2009 or early January 2010, clearing of trees will begin.   Construction plans can be reviewed by appointment at the City Engineer's office, (865) 425-1807.  Construction is anticipated to be complete in May of 2012.

The State has revised roadway plans to better address the concerns of the Southwood Subdivision residents pertaining to safety and noise associated with the project.   Revisions to the plans along the subdivision include guardrail, drainage swales, protected vegetated areas, new tree plantings and shifting of the road alignment in some areas farther away from the homes. A 45 mph speed limit has been posted along the project.

 

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 – September 2009.

Press Release 5

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, last phases of underground relocation of water lines, gas lines and sanitary sewer lines, overhead relocation of power poles and storm drainage work on the north side

 

In May 2009, traffic was moved to the south side of the roadway to complete construction on the north side.  It is anticipated that traffic will be moved to the north side in February 2010 to complete all construction on the south side of the roadway.

 

TDOT has granted a construction completion time extension to September 2010.

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Sewer System Rehab Contracts

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 consent order. A consent order usually requires a much more aggressive and expensive program and frequently prohibits new connections to the collection system, which effectively eliminates new economic development.   In December of 2008, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contacted Public Works staff requesting information on sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) and the City’s rehab program.  Subsequent conversations with EPA officials have lead staff to believe that it is likely the City will be required to implement a “Capacity, Management, Operation and Maintenance” (CMOM) program.  CMOM programs do not place restrictions on connections, but they do require additional engineering and capacity modeling, record keeping, mapping, etc. that will require funding for compliance.

Construction for the replacement of sanitary sewer pumping stations located on Pumphouse and Graceland Roads was let for bid in October of 2008, construction began in February of 2009, and the project was completed in October 2009. 

Design and state approval for the next rehab contract, Contract “N,” is complete and the project was let for bid on July 23, 2009.  Notice to Proceed will be issued on December 7, 2009.  Contract “N” will include repairs in the southern portion of Mini-System E-11, along with repairs at all known point source problems City wide.  Construction is expected to take approximately 10 months.

In March 2009, the City let for bid a contract (COR 09-05) to clean and inspect (TV) approximately 8,500 feet of sanitary sewer inceptor line running from Lafayette Drive west to near ORAU Way.  This project was completed in July 2009.  Information from the TV data will be used to determine repair needs on these segments of pipe.  These repairs, along with any new point source problems discovered after the time Contract “N” was let for bid will be combined to form the next rehab contract, which will be designated Contract “O.”  Bid letting for Contract “O” is anticipated in summer of 2010.

Future Projects

At present, City crews are gathering information on repairs needed in mini-systems located in the Emory Valley area.  These repairs may be included in either Contract “O” or a future contract.

The need for capacity analysis for the South Illinois interceptor has been recognized by staff, along with the possible needs to reduce flow into it from the Southwest quadrant. Staff and LD&A are presently gathering information and looking at options to solve this problem.

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Rarity Ridge Infrastructure

Staff continues to pursue an EPA grant to supply City water to K-25 and Rarity Ridge.  EID was sent to EPA in October 2006 and a FONSI was issued in February 2008.  In September of 2008, the City sent the EPA a letter reconfirming it’s interest in and intent to continuing the application process.  In September 2009, a formal grant application was submitted.  The time line stated in the formal application is for design to take place during 2010, easement acquisition in 2011 and construction to begin in 2012.

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Street Resurfacing

Plan to kick off the next TDOT work on East Drive, Pennsylvania and Outer Drive.  TDOT getting started with doing work.  Contract to Council 2/9.  Signed and sent back to TDOT 3/2/09.  Probably will not get done until spring 2010.

Looking to use the new manhole leveling contractor.  Work to begin on December 7, 2010.

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Sidewalk Improvements

Grant team setup and the first meeting was December 12, 2007.  Application to Council in February and submitted March 10.  Awards announced; recipients meeting in Nashville on January 7, 2009.  The State executed the contract in late December 2009.  The notice to proceed from the State received on February 28, 2010.  The City is responsible for environmental.

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ETTP Roads

DOE planning to transition some roads on-site to the City.  Phase IA approved by Council; implementing agreed upon items.  Punch list items are being worked on.

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