The Tennessee Department of Transportation plans to widen a stretch of State Route 170 (Edgemoor Road) in the Claxton community, add traffic signals and crosswalks, and build new bicycle and pedestrian lanes.
The project would extend from Oak Ridge Highway to Clinton Highway and includes a new structure over the Clinch River at the bridge near the Bull Run Fossil Plant.
State officials announced the plans and discussed findings of an environmental assessment at two public meetings: Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Claxton Elementary School, 2218 Clinton Highway, and Thursday, Oct. 30, at Oak Valley Baptist Church, 1451 Bethel Valley Road.
Plans are also available on TDOT’s website.
New traffic signals with crosswalks are proposed at Waterview Drive, New Henderson Road, Old Emory Road and North Dogwood Road.
When asked whether additional signals would slow motorists, Brian Bartnik, TDOT Region 1 traffic design manager, said they should not affect travel times for drivers going the speed limit.
Existing signals at Melton Lake Drive and Clinton Highway would remain.
Norris poised to approve phased $20 monthly rate hike to fund $5.4 million sewer overhaul
by G. Chambers Williams III
Norris residents will get a final chance this coming Monday (Nov. 10) to voice their concerns about a pending $20-a-month sewer-rate increase, during a 5:45 p.m. public hearing just before the City Council meeting, and when the council considers final approval of the measure in the regular meeting at 6 p.m..
The council is expected to approve the staggered-increase proposal on second reading during the meeting.
Last month, the council voted 4-0 on first reading an ordinance to implement a special sewer-rehabilitation charge of $20 a month for all sewer customers, but in $5 a month increments every three months, beginning Dec. 1.
The full $20 would kick in as of Sept. 1, 2026. The additional charges would help the city finance state-mandated upgrades to the system.
Residents would see the first $5 increase on their Dec. 1 utility bills, followed by an additional $5 every three months through next Sept. 1.
This section of Main Street and virtually all of Market Street remained closed this week in Clinton as work continues on the streets and sidewalks. Downtown businesses remain open for customers. - G. Chambers Williams III
A section of Main Street from Church to Leinart streets continued to be blocked to traffic for street construction work this week, and will remain that way until work moves into the Phase 3 area, from Leinart to Broad streets, perhaps sometime late this week or next.
Most of Market Street also continues to be closed to vehicles, but all downtown stores remain open and in business.
The Main Street closure is a continuation of the schedule announced in mid-August, warning that it would be shut down in three sections and phases, two times each, from Aug. 24 through Nov. 24.
In the first phase, Main Street was closed from Cullom to Church streets Aug. 24 until week before last.
After Phase 3 is completed, the three-step process will repeat, with the final work planned to be finished in late November to mid-December, weather permitting.
