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City: I-65 lighting at Exit 121 is priority




City officials are seeking to contract with TDOT for lighting at I-65, Exit 121. BONNIE FUSSELL

City officials are seeking to contract with TDOT for lighting at I-65, Exit 121. BONNIE FUSSELL

The City of Portland has found funding sources for its 50% of the cost for the interstate lighting at Exit 121.

City officials had assumed that lighting would be a part of the total project, but found out later that the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) expected the city to pay half of the cost. TDOT has not committed to its 50% at this point.

In a July letter from TDOT Commissioner Clay Bright, he stated that the Traffic Operations Division staff had developed a preliminary lighting design and cost estimate of the project is $1,826,700 for the I-65, Exit 121 at State Route 109 lighting. The letter stated that the local government would be responsible for the 50% match.

The lighting was requested by the city for the safety of travelers, industrial park employees, and for the Tennessee Welcome Center. In addition, Exit 121 is the first entrance into Tennessee from I-65 South, and the mayor has stated that is significant enough for the lighting to be requested. Highway 109 is the connecting corridor for I-840 and I-40.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) passed a resolution on Feb. 7 to authorize the City of Portland to enter into an agreement with TDOT for the interchange light program at the exit.

The city’s 50% contribution comes from two sources. First, $732,000 is from a Unified Surface Transportation Block Grant. Second, Robertson County IDB Red River Preserve will donate 20% totaling $183,000. The total portion the city obtained is $915,000.

According to Mayor Mike Callis, the city has commitments for its portion and has requested TDOT to enter into a contract. In addition, the resolution passed by the BOMA stated that once the project is completed, the city will be responsible for all future operation and maintenance costs. The city is awaiting word from TDOT.

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