Community Transportation Planning Request SR 29 / US 27, from SR 62

Community Transportation Planning Request

SR 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County

Submitted to Tennessee Department of Transportation, Office of Community Transportation Planning

Submitted on behalf of Morgan County and East Tennessee North Rural Planning Organization

Prepared By:

Don M. Brown RPO Coordinator East Tennessee South Rural Planning Organization East Tennessee Development District

Date: May 28, 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ROUTE / TERMINI……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….1

REQUESTORS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..6

LETTERS AND RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT………………………………………………………………………………………….9

PURPOSE OF REQUEST………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………35

EXISTING CONDITIONS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………35

DEFICIENCIES…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….36

DESCRIBE REQUEST……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………37

STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..38

WHO USES THE ROAD? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….40

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TRIPS (GOING TO WORK, SHOPPING, FREIGHT / SHIPPING…………….42 GOODS, AGRICULTURE, TIMBER, POULTRY, TANKERS, ETC.)

DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM(S) THAT USERS ARE EXPERIENCING……………………………………………………………..42

IS THE PROBLEM MORE COMMON IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS?…………………………………………………………..43

PROVIDE PHOTOS ILLUSTRATING THE PROBLEM……………………………………………………………………………….43

WHO ARE THE PRIMARY INTERESTED PARTIES………………………………………………………………………………….48

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….48

PHYSICAL IMPACTS……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………51

OTHER SPECIAL NOTES………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………52

EXISTING PLANS THAT ADDRESS THE AREA……………………………………………………………………………………….52

Community Transportation Planning Request for SR 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County

ROUTE / TERMINI

The proposed project is the improvement of State Route 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County, as shown on the Project Location Map. The project begins at L. M. 11.08 and ends at L. M. 22.99. This segment of roadway is approximately 11.91 miles long. This section of roadway needs to be improved and widened to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future economic development in the area. Local officials believe that widening this roadway is essential for the economic growth and job creation in Morgan and Scott counties.

From approximately LM 11.45 to LM 11.82 the roadway has a five (5) lane rural section with five(5) foot shoulders, which carries to near the Wartburg city limits. From LM 1 1 . 8 2 to approximately LM 12.82 the roadway has a three (3) lane section, which represents a truck climbing lane, with primarily ten (10) foot shoulders. From LM 12.82 to LM 22.99 in Sunbright, the roadway has a two (2) lane typical section with shoulder width varying, but primarily less than two (2) feet. There is an additional truck climbing lane at LM 21.42 to LM 21.95. Right-of-way width varies from 66 feet to 150 feet. TDOT ETRIMS indicates that lane are twelve (12) wide throughout this section of roadway and a varying should width of twelve (12) to 2 feet. The TRP referenced below notes that in many locations the shoulder is less that two (2) feet.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation prepared a Transportation Planning Report, TPR, on this section of State Route 29 / US 27. The TPR is dated March 31, 2011. No action has yet been taken to implement the recommendations in the TPR.

The TPR showed 2014 average daily traffic on this roadway varying from 3400 to 9400 vehicles per day. The traffic was projected to increase to a range of 4200 to 10,700 vehicles per day in the year 2034. Seven percent of the traffic consisted of trucks.

U.S. Route 27 (US 27) is a north–south United States highway in the southern and mid-western United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 (I-69) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. US 27 enters Tennessee from Rossville, Georgia in Hamilton County, as a four- lane highway, concurrent with both SR 27 and SR 29. At the northern terminus, US 27 / SR 29 exits Scott County Tennessee into McCreary County Kentucky.

As shown in the first four photos below, most of US 27 in the State of Tennessee is a four lane facility. The primary exception is the section of US 27 / SR 29 through Morgan and Scott counties. The lack of a four lane facility through Morgan and Scott counties has been a major contributing factor to the continued economically depressed conditions and lack of jobs in this area. The last photo in the series below shows the contrast between US 27 / SR 29 in Morgan County versus other area of the state.

L ³ e g e n M P M R L F S I n o u a t a u a t d a c e n r i n j l t k o a r r c e i s o s c r l t

i t R a i R o W a p d n o t o a e a s a u u l

t l t B t e

e e R r o w o u a u n y t d e s a r y

AB IG A IL T M R . E I

N T

A E

S R

V H

E I

L L T

T L L

B D

. O

R D W .

P . T C

G W E A P E P I R N N

B S

E I N

S S . R I I T R

D D R G .

D E

H R . I

6 H D

P . L

N ³

R C

E O D

. B E

B R

D L

P % K % .

2 B 9 A

8 R NE T T BRI

R R

D C

K E . R G C L

L E

K A

E R D

I D E

E . S . L

R R D A %

% D N 3

D 9

H L

F A C

OO P E

L O

CHRIS P R T

R E

R T

D P D

. S D

O H . 6 2 E N H B

A ³ R B W D

. E D

R N E

T E

R R

B D BREW

U . S T

R L

O E

G D

R R B

G B

E U

N U E

R T W

G E R N D W

H O

. R S M R

D B O

W T

O V

. Y L

E D

I R

Y L H T R

R O

D . L

D . U W

L C

. R

Y G O

O D S E

R . E R B O

D R

O R H K E E

I D

C N L 5 D

L H

R . 2 T . % % W

O RD

R . 3 D

IDG 2 . Y

E 9 ³ . S RD. H

A S

E G

H J

E R O D

I T

I C D

K N

A P E

D S N

R I

. L

D A

. O V

E F

R L

W T D W

R .

N O D

. A

R Y

D D T

R W . A D

E .

H G N

R E

I Y R

T A

D D

LO E A O .

W R

H R

V .

E I

R O E D

S D ROC G D E

6 R K . A R

2 OO 2 .

W D RD K D

. 9 2 N

9 ³ E R ³

³ W W

P H M P I

I T IL N R L

E E T C

O R

B O E

M R A

% L R W K E

% A

2 O H K

K C

9 D IT N E

E R

9 H O D T .

A G

A .

R . R K

R O

D D

A C

R M A R

. T

D O D

N E S

. .

K O R C U V

I T

N Y E S

S A

C O

P R

R D D H E

R D D 2 R . 7

. A O

P O H N

E E

E I L D

R E

D L

R A

R .

W D U

D R D P I E

A T

E T . R

I M

R R R G R

O M

P D S

I OL R .

R D Y

N Y D

R P

O G E .

A T O B C R E O

D S E

N C K

O H R .

R K D N H T

E T .

T E

R . R A R

R F M D

D BY F .

. E L

L B

L RO L D

B I S

. S

A B D .

L R I

C I N

F D R L T G E

Y R R . . T

C H D K A E M E M O R

E 2 R

9 Y

S R D

% .

% C ³

C I T S A R I

N R 2 D M . U P A . 8 OLD HA RR IM A NH W

Y L

. E

O M

I P O

R E F

P L

G A Y

T T

F R

E A

. N

R K O

N R

R U

D T O

H K

W X

V R

I D

% M

% L

3 M P .

L A

2 O

E E C 8 S

S T

E T H Y I

D W G

L O Y R N

. N O .

V I

E R

6 D F

2 D . L

. ³ AT F 2 O

9 R K ³ R D

S E A L C L

R D .

C %

O % 1

A 1 6 L F H A I L IR L V ETROS R P I BACK P D H RD E . E S . W TR O W Y.

. B T

e K 0

V A n L 0 L E . Y 5

R n D . 1 e L s 6 2 o s ³ O 2 e n M f e f g i

c 3 D R e o e a

T o p n r 4 P e f a g g r

e D r e n a p t 5

a m a P n n r t l e a e a e d 6

n n V

C s b n t i y s

s o i 7 o

t n e u h f u g a

e e T

l 8 D i r n z a i a v t n t 9 i y s i s o p i o n 1 o 0 n r t a 1 1 M t i i l o e s n

US 27 at its intersection with SR 303, in Rhea County near Graysville

U.S. Route 27 in Evensville. The Cumberland Plateau is on the right.

The Tennessee-Georgia state line dividing Rossville, GA, and Chattanooga, TN, along US 27

U.S. Route 27 at its Richland Creek crossings in Dayton

US 27 / SR 29, North of Wartburg

The section of SR 29 / US 27 recommended for study is classified as a Rural Other Principal Arterial by the Tennessee Department of Transportation and is part of the National Highway System. TDOT’s ETRIMS data indicates this section of roadway is a Tennessee Bicycle Route.

The Federal Highway Administration defines Rural Other Principal Arterial as follows: These roadways serve major centers of metropolitan areas, provide a high degree of mobility and can also provide mobility through rural areas. Unlike their access-controlled counterparts, abutting land uses can be served directly. Forms of access for Other Principal Arterial roadways include driveways to specific parcels and at-grade intersections with other roadways. For the most part, roadways that fall into the top three functional classification categories (Interstate, Other Freeways & Expressways and Other Principal Arterials) provide similar service in both urban and rural areas. The primary difference is that there are usually multiple Arterial routes serving a particular urban area, radiating out from the urban center to serve the surrounding region. In contrast, an expanse of a rural area of equal size would be served by a single Arterial. Rural Other Principal Arterials have the following characteristics: 1. Serve corridor movements having trip length and travel density characteristics indicative of substantial statewide or interstate travel 2. Connect all or nearly all Urbanized Areas and a large majority of Urban Clusters with 25,000 and over population 3. Provide an integrated network of continuous routes without stub connections (dead ends)

The section of US 27 / SR 29 through Morgan and Scott county is mostly a two lane roadway with very narrow shoulders with many deficiencies including horizontal and vertical alignment. Major improvements are warranted for this roadway to meet the designated role as a Rural Other Principal Arterial.

REQUESTORS

During recent years, Morgan County Executive Don Edwards and other local officials in Morgan and Scott counties have requested that this section of SR 29 / US 27 be reconstructed to a 4 or 5 lane facility. Other requestors include:

 State Senator Ken Yager  State Representative John Mark Windle  Morgan County Commission  Honorable Michael Davis, Morgan County General Sessions Judge  Morgan County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security  Highland Telephone Cooperative  Morgan County Director of Finance  Morgan County Ambulance Service  Morgan County Clerk  Roane State Community College  Morgan County General Sessions Court Clerk  Morgan County Trustee  Morgan County Register of Deeds  Morgan County Chancery Court  Robert Cl Brimi  Highland Communications  Dollar General Store  United States Post Office  TIGER Food Market  Sunbright Tobacco  Pilot Mountain Diner  Sunbright Funeral Home  Highland Telephone Coop  Galloway Construction LLC  City of Sunbright

State Senator Ken Yager discussed his support for this project and requested that TDOT prepare a Needs Assessment. Senator Yager noted the deficiencies of the existing roadway and requested that the initial engineering should begin as soon as possible. The proposed widening would enhance emergency responses in Morgan County. The subject project would substantially enhance economic development and growth in the economically distressed Morgan and Scott counties. The majority of US 27 in Tennessee is a four lane facility with the exception of sections in Morgan and Scott Counties.

State Representative John Mark Windle expressed his support for this project. Representative Windle requested this section of roadway be improved to 4 or 5 lanes to address existing and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

The Morgan County Commission requested this roadway be widened to 4 or 5 lanes. The Commission noted that there have been 307 crashes on this section of roadway between April 2008 and May 2018, with many of these crashes involving injuries and / or fatalities. Growth in the area will be very limited until this section of roadway is widened. Improving this section of roadway will improve the overall US 27 Highway which extends from Michigan to Florida.

Michael A. Davis, Morgan County General Sessions Judge, described how this project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

Judy Zorsch with the Morgan County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security noted her support for widening this roadway to 5 lanes. This project would enhance the county’s transportation network and improve emergency response. Because of the rough terrain, there are no viable alternate routes if this roadway is closed due to a crash causing traffic to back up for miles and for hours. Improving this roadway would greatly enhance emergency response in Morgan County. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to attract residential, commercial and industrial developments.

G. M. Patterson, Highland Telephone Cooperative, supports the widening of this section of SR 29 / US 27 which would open up northern Morgan County for economic growth and expansion. The project would also provide a safer roadway.

Gary Howard, Morgan County Director of Finance, supports the widening of this roadway. The project would help revitalize Morgan County’s struggling economy and enhance the county’s tourism.

Lawrence Potter, Morgan County Ambulance Service, supports the widening of this section of SR 29 / US 27. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially. The project would improve response times for emergency services to the north part of the county.

Chris Whaley, Roane State Community College, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for

7 future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

Pamela Deck, Morgan County General Sessions Court Clerk, supports the project noting that widening this section of roadway would have a huge economic impact. An improved roadway would better support large commercial trucks which is crucial to business and industry development and operations. Morgan County has a great need for this project.

Cindi Jones, Morgan County Trustee, supports the widening of this roadway. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

Sandy Dalton, Morgan County Register of Deeds, supports the widening of this roadway. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

Angela Anderson, Morgan County Chancery Court, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. This project would greatly improve the infrastructure in Morgan County, which is vital to industrial and business development. A lot of large trucks, especially log trucks, travel this section of roadway.

Robert Brimi expressed concerns about safety hazards on this roadway. Four serious wrecks have occurred in the last 24 months. Emergency vehicles have a difficult tasks getting to crash sites because there is no shoulders. The amount of 18 wheel trucks has increased since the CTC trucking company put a relay station in Oneida. Traffic increases significantly when rock slides shut down I‐75. Many vehicles use this section of US 27 / SR 29 in traveling from Lexington area to Chattanooga, Birmingham or Atlanta.

Ann Valentine, Highland Communications, supports the widening of this roadway. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

Becki Williamson, Dollar General Store, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

Sarah Lane, United States Postal Service, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

B. R. Patel, Tiger Food Market, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

Victoria Nelson, Pilot Mountain Diner, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

Billy Kennedy, Schubert Funeral Home, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

G. M. Patterson, Highland Telephone Coop, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

Jane Galloway, Galloway Construction LLC, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

Mayor Teresa Ryon, Sunbright, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

LETTERS AND RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT

The following provided letters and resolutions of support for this project:

 Morgan County Trustee  Morgan County Register of Deeds  Morgan County Chancery Court  Robert Cl Brimi  Highland Communications  Dollar General Store  United States Post Office  TIGER Food Market  Sunbright Tobacco  Pilot Mountain Diner  Sunbright Funeral Home  Highland Telephone Coop  Galloway Construction LLC  City of Sunbright

These letters and resolutions follow.

PURPOSE OF REQUEST

This report requests the improvement of State Route 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County. This segment of roadway is approximately 11.91 miles long. This section of roadway needs to be improved and widened to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future economic development in the area. Local officials believe that widening this roadway is essential for the economic growth and job creation in Morgan and Scott counties.

As previously discussed, most of US 27 in the State of Tennessee is a four lane facility. The primary exception is the section of US 27 / SR 29 through Morgan and Scott counties. The lack of a four lane facility through Morgan and Scott counties has been a major contributing factor to the continued economically depressed conditions and lack of jobs in this area.

The section of US 27 / SR 29 through Morgan County is mostly a two lane roadway with very narrow shoulders and with many other deficiencies including horizontal and vertical alignment. Major improvements are warranted for this roadway to meet the designated role as a Rural Other Principal Arterial.

The horizontal and vertical alignment deficiencies coupled with the narrow shoulders (2 feet or less) provide a dangerous roadway for travelers along this section of US 27 / SR 29. Major improvements are needed to provide a safer more efficient roadway. Examples of these deficiencies are shown on the photos provided later in this report in the section entitled “Provide Photo Illustrating the Problem”.

US 27 / SR 29 is designated a “Federal Designated Truck Route”. In order to safely carry truck traffic, major improvements are needed to correct the horizontal and vertical alignment deficiencies, the very narrow shoulders and other deficiencies. The narrow shoulders for the majority of the study area does not provide sufficient width for vehicles to pull off the roadway in emergency situations or provide drivers with maneuvering room to correct for any driver errors.

The next step in the project development process is the preparation of a needs assessment by TDOT. After the needs assessment, the project can proceed if funding is available to the preliminary engineering phase.

EXISTING CONDITIONS

Geometrics from TRIMS

Road Segment Description: State Route 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County Begin Log Mile: 11.08 End Log Mile: 22.99

Length: Approximately 11.91 miles ROW Width: Varies from 66 feet to 150 feet Number of Lanes: 2, plus a truck climbing lane at one location Lane Width: 12 feet Shoulder Width: Varies, 12 feet to 2 feet (or less) Parking: None

Operational from TRIMS

Road Segment Description: State Route 29 / US 27, from SR 62 in Wartburg to SR 329 in Sunbright, Morgan County Functional Classification: Rural Other Principal Arterial System: National Highway System RURAL, STATE, PRIMARY AADT: 2017 – 1720 to 5230 vehicles per day, with 6% to 9% truck traffic.

Crash Data from TRIMS

Years: 2015 – 2017 Total Crashes: 49 Total injuries: 30 Incapacitating Injuries: 10 Fatalities: 1

DEFICIENCIES

The Tennessee Roadway Information Management System (ETRIMS) provides data for locations of crashes, for geometric deficiencies such as narrow lanes (less than eleven (11) feet) and shoulder width (less than six (6) feet for arterials), and for excessive curves and grades, as defined by generally accepted design standards. The segment of SR 29 in Morgan County under review, provides sufficient lane widths (twelve (12) feet), but does have deficient horizontal and vertical curves. The narrow shoulders, two (2) feet or less for most of the route, do not provide sufficient width for vehicles to pull off the roadway in emergency situations or provide drivers with maneuvering room to correct for any driver errors.

The Morgan County Commission noted that there have been 307 crashes on this section of roadway between April 2008 and May 2018, with many of these crashes involving injuries and / or fatalities.

Angela Anderson, Morgan County Chancery Court, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. A lot of large trucks, especially log trucks, travel this section of roadway.

Robert Brimi expressed concerns about safety hazards on this roadway. Four serious wrecks have occurred in the last 24 months. Emergency vehicles have a difficult tasks getting to crash sites because there is no shoulders. The amount of 18 wheel trucks has increased since the CTC trucking company put a relay station in Oneida. Traffic increases significantly when rock slides shut down I-75. Many vehicles use this section of US 27 / SR 29 in traveling from Lexington area to Chattanooga, Birmingham or Atlanta.

US 27 / SR 29 is designated a “Federal Designated Truck Route”. In order to safely carry truck traffic, major improvements are needed to correct the horizontal and vertical alignment deficiencies, the very narrow shoulders and other deficiencies. Major improvements are needed for this roadway to meet the designated role as a Rural Other Principal Arterial.

TDOT’s ETRIMS data indicates this section of roadway is a Tennessee Bicycle Route. The very narrow shoulders, two (2) feet or less for most of the route, coupled with the alignment deficiencies would make this roadway dangerous for bikers. Major roadway improvements are needed to provide a safe facility for bikers.

DESCRIBE REQUEST

The next step in the project development process is the preparation of a needs assessment by TDOT. After the needs assessment, the local governments request the project be funded for the preliminary engineering phase. The local governments also requests that funding be approved at the earliest possible date for right-of-way acquisition and construction.

37 facility through Morgan and Scott counties has been a major contributing factor to the continued economically depressed conditions and lack of jobs in this area.

STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION

Morgan County is located on the Cumberland Plateau, which has an elevation of approximately 1500 feet above sea level. Morgan County is surrounded by the counties of Scott, Anderson, Roane, Cumberland and Fentress. Morgan County is known for its rugged mountain terrain, which includes Frozen Head State Park, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Scenic River National Park and Lone Mountain State Forrest. The largest streams in the county are the Emory and the Obed Rivers, with their respective tributaries, Crooked Fork and Clear Creek, and the Clear Fork of the Cumberland River and White Oak Creek. See the Morgan County Attractions Map.

Morgan County is rural with major portions of the county state-owned property. The most viable avenue for economic growth, other than new industry, is outdoor recreation. Outdoor recreation has seen tremendous increases over the past few years with visitors from around the world coming for rafting, kayaking, camping, hiking, rock climbing, etc

Morgan County Attractions Wartburg, the county seat of Morgan County, serves as the “hub” for recreational visitors in Morgan County and the region. Wartburg has experienced a tremendous increase in visitor traffic. With the location of the Cumberland Trail, the National Park Service (Obed Wild and Scenic River) offices, and other outdoor recreation activities within Morgan County, Wartburg is at the forefront of being a collecting point for visitors from all areas.

Municipalities in Morgan County include a portion of Harriman, Oakdale, a portion of Oliver Springs, Sunbright and Wartburg. The county had a 2017 population of 21,636. The population has decreased 1.2% since 2012.

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development maintains a list of “Distressed” counties in Tennessee. Distressed counties listed rank among the ten percent most economically distressed counties in the nation. Morgan County is listed as a “Distressed County”, as is Scott County.

In 2016, the unemployment rate in Morgan County was 6.6% compared to a Tennessee statewide average of 4.8%. The 2016 unemployment rate in Scott County was 7.6% compared to a Tennessee statewide average of 4.8%.

The top industry type in Morgan County is “Government”. The top employers are the Morgan County School District and the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

I-40 passes through Roane County in an east – west direction approximately 2 miles south of Morgan County. US 27 / SR 29 is the U. S. Highway in the county traveling in a generally north – south directions. State highways in the county include: SR 29, SR 52, SR 62, SR 116, SR 298, SR 299, SR 328 and SR 329. There are no railroads serving the county.

As previously noted, Morgan County is largely a rural area. Land use along the SR 29 / US 27 corridor is mostly rural with mixed residential commercial areas in Wartburg and Sunbright.

WHO USES THE ROAD?

Frozen Head State Park, Lone Mountain State Forrest, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Obed Scenic River National Park and other outdoor recreation areas are located in Morgan County. These

40 recreational areas attract a very substantial number of visitors each year, most whom access the area by US 27 / SR 29.

This section of roadway is also used by shoppers from Morgan and Scott counties traveling to Knoxville’s and Oak Ridge’s commercial and retail areas. Workers from Morgan and Scott counties also travel US 27 / SR 29 for jobs in Knoxville, Oak Ridges and other areas.

The following table summarizes the 2010 commuting patterns for Morgan County workers. The three columns on the left side of each table show the number of workers commuting to the Morgan County. The three columns on the right side show the number of workers commuting out of the county.

The numbers highlighted in orange represents the number of people who live and work within Morgan County. The commuting patterns show almost 3 times the number of those out commuting from Morgan County than those in commuting to Morgan County. Most of those out commuting are to Anderson, Knox and Roane counties. Most of the in commuters are from Scott, Roane and Anderson counties.

MORGAN COUNTY 2010 COMMUTING PATTERNS

In Commuting Number Percent Out Commuting Number Percent

Morgan* 1,494 64.9 Morgan* 1,494 23.3 Scott 168 7.3 Anderson 1,319 20.6 Roane 152 6.6 Knox 993 15.5 Anderson 105 4.6 Roane 666 10.4 Knox 54 2.3 Davidson 280 4.4 Fentress 49 2.1 Scott 151 2.4 Cumberland 44 1.9 Cumberland 141 2.2 Campbell 26 1.1 Blount 139 2.2 Loudon 18 0.8 Loudon 90 1.4 Claiborne 13 0.6 Sevier 85 1.3 Other Counties 180 7.8 Other Counties 1,042 16.3 Total 2,303 Total 6,400 Source: U.S. Census, 2010; and U.S. Census Bureau, Center for Economic Studies.

Angela Anderson, Morgan County Chancery Court, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. A lot of large trucks, especially log trucks, travel this section of roadway.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON TRIPS (GOING TO WORK, SHOPPING, FREIGHT / SHIPPING GOODS, AGRICULTURE, TIMBER, POULTRY, TANKERS, ETC.)

As discussed above, U.S. Route 27 (US 27) is a major north–south United States highway extending from Indiana to Florida. Some of the traffic on the section of US 27 / SR 29 from Wartburg to Sunbright is through traffic.

There are multiplel outdoor recreational areas in Morgan and Scott counties. These areas have previously been discussed. These recreational areas attract a very substantial number of visitors each year, most whom access the area by US 27 / SR 29.

DESCRIBE THE PROBLEM(S) THAT USERS ARE EXPERIENCING

The Tennessee Roadway Information Management System (ETRIMS) provides data for locations of crashes, for geometric deficiencies such as narrow lanes (less than eleven (11) feet) and shoulder width (less than six (6) feet for arterials), and for excessive curves and grades, as defined by generally accepted design standards. The segment of SR 29 in Morgan County under review, provides sufficient lane widths (twelve (12) feet), but does have deficient horizontal and vertical curves. The narrow shoulders, two feet form most of this route, do not provide sufficient width for vehicles to pull off the roadway in emergency situations or provide drivers with maneuvering room to correct for any driver errors. The narrow shoulders and horizontal and vertical curves deficiencies contribute to the numerous crashes previously discussed on this route.

The Morgan County Commission noted that there have been 307 crashes on this section of roadway between April 2008 and May 2018, with many of these crashes involving injuries and / or fatalities.

The severe horizontal curvature and excessive grades result in slow travel speeds, especially for trucks, along many sections of this roadway. Passing is dangerous, and in many areas, not possible. Per ETRIMS data, truck traffic on this roadway ranges from 6% to 9%.

This section of roadway needs to be improved and widened to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future economic development in the area.

G. M. Patterson, Highland Telephone Cooperative, supports the widening of this section of SR 29 / US 27. The project would provide a safer roadway.

Lawrence Potter, Morgan County Ambulance Service, supports the widening of this section of SR 29 / US 27. The project would improve response times for emergency services to the north part of the county.

Robert Brimi expressed concerns about safety hazards on this roadway. Four serious wrecks have occurred in the last 24 months. Emergency vehicles have a difficult tasks getting to crash sites because there is no shoulders. The amount of 18 wheel trucks has increased since the CTC trucking company put a relay station in Oneida. Traffic increases significantly when rock slides shut down I-75. Many vehicles use this section of US 27 / SR 29 in traveling from Lexington area to Chattanooga, Birmingham or Atlanta.

IS THE PROBLEM MORE COMMON IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS?

Due to the geometric deficiencies and narrow shoulders, travel along this section of US 27 / SR 29 would be more difficult during rain, snow or ice events. Traffic volumes may be higher during summer months due to the proximity of the outdoor recreational areas previously discussed which attract more visitors during the summer months. Traffic volumes are also higher during the morning and afternoon peak hours.

PROVIDE PHOTOS ILLUSTRATING THE PROBLEM

The following photos show the horizontal and vertical alignment deficiencies, narrow shoulders and severe curvature on this section of roadway.

WHO ARE THE PRIMARY INTERESTED PARTIES

The primary interested parties include the following:

 Morgan County  Highland Telephone Cooperative  Scott County  Morgan County Director of Finance  City of Wartburg  Morgan County Ambulance Service  City of Sunbright  Morgan County Clerk  Frozen Head State Park  Roane State Community College  Obed Wild & Scenic River  Morgan County General Sessions Court  Lone Mountain State Forest Clerk  Catoosa Wildlife Management Area  Morgan County Trustee  Big South Fork National River and  Morgan County Register of Deeds Recreational Area.  Morgan County Chancery Court  Morgan County Economic Development  Robert Cl Brimi Board  Highland Communications  Morgan County Chamber of Commerce  Dollar General Store  Scott County Chamber of Commerce  United States Post Office  Brimstone Recreation  TIGER Food Market  State Representative John Mark Windle  Sunbright Tobacco  Morgan County Commission  Pilot Mountain Diner  Honorable Michael Davis, Morgan  Sunbright Funeral Home County General Sessions Judge  Highland Telephone Coop  Morgan County Office of Emergency  Galloway Construction LLC Management and Homeland Security

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The following is from the previously referenced Transportation Planning Report prepared by the Tennessee Department of Transportation. “Morgan County’s industrial and commercial businesses require adequate transportation facilities to operate efficiently. Without improvements to the transportation infrastructure, all counties within this region will find it difficult to compete in attracting

48 industry to the area or in keeping the current industries from looking elsewhere to relocate. Enhancing the corridor with the options discussed in this study will ultimately enhance the corridor for all users.”

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development has a long term objective that the state of Tennessee will have zero distressed counties by 2025. Significant economic gains must be accomplished in Morgan and Scott counties for these two counties to be removed from the distressed county list. The widening of US 27 / SR 29 from Wartburg to Sunbright to four or five lanes would provide a major stimulus for economic development, growth and quality job creation in the area.

The poverty rate in Morgan County is 23.60%. The poverty rate in Scott County is 27.60%. The poverty rate is the ratio of the number of people whose income falls below the poverty line. About 18% of individuals in Tennessee live below the poverty level. These numbers indicate a significantly higher percentage of Morgan and Scott counties live in poverty compared to the statewide average.

State Representative John Mark Windle requested this section of roadway be improved to 4 or 5 lanes to address existing and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

The Morgan County Commission noted that growth in the area will be very limited until this section of roadway is widened. Improving this section of roadway will improve the overall US 27 Highway which extends from Michigan to Florida.

Judy Zorsch with the Morgan County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security noted her support for widening this roadway to 5 lanes. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to attract residential, commercial and industrial developments.

G. M. Patterson, Highland Telephone Cooperative, supports the widening of this section of SR 29 / US 27 which would open up northern Morgan County for economic growth and expansion.

Gary Howard, Morgan County Director of Finance, supports the widening of this roadway. The project would help revitalize Morgan County’s struggling economy and enhance the county’s tourism.

Cheryl Collins, Morgan County Clerk, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. Currently many Morgan County citizens travel this roadway to out of county jobs. Improved transportation infrastructure is vital for industries and businesses to locate in the county. Chris Whaley, Roane State Community College, supports the widening of this roadway to 5 lanes. This project would greatly improve the transportation infrastructure in Morgan County which is necessary for future industrial and business development to take place. This roadway needs to be widened to help the communities to develop properly both residentially and commercially.

H. R. Patel, Sunbright Tobacco, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development. Victoria Nelson, Pilot Mountain Diner, supports the widening of this roadway to a 4 or 5 lane facility to address current and future capacity and safety issues, as well as future growth and economic development.

PHYSICAL IMPACTS

Morgan County is located on the Cumberland Plateau, with an elevation of approximately 1500 feet above sea level. Morgan County is surrounded by the counties of Scott, Anderson, Roane, Cumberland and Fentress. The terrain includes rugged mountain terrain. The Crab Orchard Mountains comprise a large area of the county. Frozen Head State Park and Lone Mountain State Forrest are located in the county. The largest streams in the county are the Emory and the Obed Rivers, and their respective tributaries, Crooked Fork and Clear Creek, and the Clear Fork of the Cumberland River and White Oak Creek.

The physical impacts of the proposed project will be those typically associated with grading, drainage and other construction items for similar projects in similar terrain.

OTHER SPECIAL NOTES

Land use along the facility is mostly rural with some mixed residential and commercial uses in Warburg and Sunbright. Some of these residences and businesses could be impacted depending on the alignment and right-of-way width.

US 27 / SR 29 is designated a “Federal Designated Truck Route”. In order to safely carry truck traffic, major improvements are needed to correct the horizontal and vertical alignment deficiencies, the very narrow shoulders and other deficiencies. Major improvements are needed for this roadway to meet the designated role as a Rural Other Principal Arterial.

TDOT’s ETRIMS data indicates this section of roadway is a “Tennessee Bicycle Route”. The very narrow shoulders, two (2) feet or less for most of the route, coupled with the alignment deficiencies would make this roadway dangerous for bikers. Major roadway improvements are needed to provide a safe facility for bikers.

The previously referenced Transportation Planning Report prepared by the Tennessee Department of Transportation indicates that the total cost for improving this roadway to a 4 lane / 5 lane facility is approximately $56,000,000. This estimate includes right of way, utilities and construction.

EXISTING PLANS THAT ADDRESS THE AREA

Morgan County has a tourism website located at: http://www.morgancountytn.gov/tourism/index.php. The website lists outdoor adventures including white water rafting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, horseback riding, swimming, fresh water fishing, hunting, state parks, Historic Rugby, Barkley Marathons and Historic Brushy Mountain.

The Morgan County Chamber of Commerce’s website located at http://www.morgancountychamber.com/# contains information on tourism including state parks, national parks, historic areas,

Basecamp Wartburg, https://www.basecampwartburg.com/, is a website describing the many tourism attractions in the area, places to shop, medical facilities, restaurants and others.

The City of Warburg recently completed, December 2017, a Pedestrian and Bicycle Master plan funded by TDOT’s Community Transportation Planning Grant. In addition, the City is currently working with the Wartburg Revitalization Committee, comprised of City and County leaders and residents in order to revitalize the City to promote economic growth and capitalize on the predominant growth of outdoor recreation in the Morgan County area. Wartburg desires to become a “hub” for this type of activity in the area.

The Cumberland Trail, a state scenic trail, extends more than 300 miles from Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park located on Signal Mountain, Chattanooga. When completed, the Cumberland Trail will pass through Wartburg. See the Morgan County Attractions Map.

Morgan County is designated as a ThreeStar Community. The Governor’s ThreeStar Program, administered by the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, is designed to help communities build a healthy and educated workforce supported by a strong and stable local government that provides security and safety and promotes county progress in the areas of economic development, responsible fiscal management, public safety, health and education.