Road widening project in Anderson County raises concerns for businesses, residents

ANDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - Major changes are on the horizon for Edgemoor Road in Anderson County, with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) planning a significant widening project.

This project aims to expand a six-mile stretch of the road between Clinton Highway and the Oak Ridge Highway interchange to four lanes in an effort to alleviate traffic congestion.

The project documents show that dozens of homes and businesses may need to relocate, which has caused concerns in the community.

“So it’s a concern that I don’t have to close my doors,” Tara Allen, owner of Resale Rack Thrift Store, said.

“A number of transportation issues have been identified, including traffic congestion and minimal shoulder widths in adequate turn lanes,” John Barrett, manager of Highway Program TDOT Region 1, said. “Also, while there are a number of recreational facilities throughout Edgemoor Road, there’s a need for improve pedestrian amenities like sidewalks.“

Allen said she understands the need to adapt to growth, but she is concerned about the impacts.

“While I get where they’re coming from, I just feel like the impact is going to be more negative than positive on these homes and these businesses,” she said.

TDOT’s project documents reveal that nearly 90 homes and businesses might need to move, with 13 of those businesses currently operational.

“If a person qualifies as a displaced person or business, they’ll be eligible for relocation benefits and moving expenses to accommodate that as well,” Barrett said. “Our goal is to minimize those to the fullest extent possible.”

Allen said the widening project could take half to all of Allen’s current parking.

“It’s definitely going to impact people that are coming here; there’s going to be very limited parking or none in the front, which is where [my] entrance is,” Allen said. “The owner of the building has said he’s going to, at some point, put a parking lot in the back, but I don’t have an entrance in the back. It is not customer friendly at all.”

The project will also include expanding the Clinch River Bridge to four lanes. TDOT still needs to finalize plans and buy land before construction can begin, with these steps anticipated to occur next year.

Construction is predicted to start in 2029 if the project progresses as expected.

Public meetings are being held to address residents’ questions and concerns. One meeting was held Tuesday evening at Claxton Elementary School, and another is scheduled for Thursday evening at Oak Ridge Baptist Church on Bethel Valley Road from 5-7 p.m.