Under construction: Work begins on new road to Woodbury
|
?Every building that?s vacant we?re in the process of demolizing and getting it out of the way,? said Mark Odom of Cookeville-based Highways, Inc., which was awarded the project with an $8.4 million bid. ?We?re just now starting what we call clearing and grubbing, which is clearing all the trees and vegetation out of the way.?
It will still be over a month before major construction work takes place. The current emphasis is on relocating utilities.
Gas, water, phone and electric lines all have to be moved. Once the new lines are completely up and running, the old lines will be removed.
Weather permitting, major dirt and excavation work is scheduled to start Oct. 2.
The clearing and grubbing that?s taking place gives motorists a glimpse of the path the new road will follow. The biggest change is the sharp curve that comes just after Cornerstone Baptist Church as you?re leaving Newtown. The new road will go over what was once Forrest Park Package Store and over the log cabin that used to sit on the hill.
The first phase of the project is only 1.1 miles long but it?s projected to take around two years to complete. The 1.1-mile stretch will include five lanes, two in each direction and a continual turning lane, much like the road to Manchester.
?It will have five lanes with sidewalks and curbs,? said Odom. ?And you?ll be getting all new signs so it will look pretty good when it?s all done.?