The Tennessee Department of Transportation responded to a resolution approved by the Campbell County Commission in March.
The commission specifically called for right-turn lanes at two intersections in the upper reaches of the valley, but TDOT says the data at those locations does not justify adding right-turn lanes.
TDOT Regional Communications Director Mark Nagy shared the response from TDOT via email. “The Department is grateful for the feedback received in the resolution from the Campbell County Commission. The Tennessee Department of Transportation is currently implementing a route from the City of La Follette in Campbell County to State Route 63 and State Route 32 in Harrogate, Claiborne County. Four projects are underway along the I-63 corridor from the intersection with US-25E; three projects south from the LaFollette city line in Campbell County to Hall Lane in Claiborne County; included widening the existing two-lane roadway to a five-lane roadway (two travel lanes in each direction and a center turn lane).The fourth project was from Old Town Creek to State Route 32. (US-25E) by restriping the existing two-lane roadway to three lanes (one travel lane in each direction with a combination of center right turn lane and passing lane).Roadway.
“One of the first steps in any project development is to obtain traffic data (current and projected traffic). width, design speed, etc.) as well as other design features such as the need for traffic signals and right-turn lanes.The expected traffic volume indicates that Signals were warranted at the intersection and at the intersection of State Route 63 and Old Middleboro Road, but right-turn lanes were not guaranteed. The department cited concerns about the removal of right-turn lanes at both intersections. I understand. There is a significant number of right turn movements, but it was not enough to warrant a designated right turn lane by adding a second through lane.
“The Department understands that in the absence of designated right-turn lanes, motorists often use the paved shoulder to exit the travel lane and turn onto an entrance or frontage road. The real function of a road shoulder is to provide a buffer between the driving lane and the edge of the roadway, and to provide space for emergency vehicles to detour traffic, or to provide a Allowing impaired drivers to exit the lane of travel when the road is wide. Because the pavement is not deep enough, the shoulders are not designed to accommodate a continuous flow of traffic. Vehicles turning right must do so from the right-hand passing lane. The additional passing lane allows drivers to bypass right-turning vehicles if they wish. The department will , understands that it may take some time for drivers to get used to it. Both intersections are designed to accommodate school buses making right turns.
“Department staff will be surveying both locations and evaluating the need for additional signage, pavement markings, and additional pavement to assist in tracking right-turning vehicles.”
The Campbell County Commission in March approved a resolution asking TDOT to consider right-turn lanes in the State Route 63 widening project.
Commissioner Rusty Orrick said in March, “I talked about it with Sen. Yeager at the town hall meeting last night, so he's aware of it.” “I told him I would send him a certified copy if it was approved. I hope we had a chance to sit down and I told him the same, but for that project I want to see the engineering research unfold.”
At a town hall meeting in March, State Sen. Ken Yeager said, “Dennis Powers and I asked the comptroller to do a planned audit of that project. They did one audit, but… We are asking for a second audit because we had too many unanswered questions.”
Commissioner Scotty Kitts said during a March 11 committee workshop that he had received 11 calls regarding this matter.
“By the way, there have been six more complaints since the last commission meeting,” Scottie Kitts said at the March commission meeting.
According to the resolution, “a number of residents have notified the Campbell County Commission and the Campbell County Mayor of all locations where the turn off from State Route 63 is steep and poses a danger to residents.” ”
The resolution states, “TDOT Project Managers Stacey Weaver and Bruce Thomas, along with all parties involved in the State Route 63 Widening Project, It calls for “assessing sharpness” and “adding paved roads.” At each major junction, with special consideration in areas where traffic lights are installed at the intersections of State Route 63 and Davis Chapel, and State Route 63 and Wildwood Circle/Middlesboro Road toward Old Middlesboro. A highway with a wide right-turn lane. ”