Concord Road just east of the Waller Road intersection on Wednesday.

Two final sections to be updated, improved

By KERRI BARTLETT
For Brentwood Home Page
Two major expansion projects have been given the green light for construction on Concord Road from Jones Parkway to Arrowhead Drive and from Sunset Road to Nolensville Road.

In conjunction with TDOT, the City of Brentwood is funding engineering design and right of way acquisition for both projects. “The purpose of the projects is to widen sections of the road that are very narrow so that traffic can flow more safely and efficiently,” Assistant City Manager Kirk Bednar said.

The project on Sunset, also called the “big project,” consists of plans to widen the roadway to three lanes between Sunset and Nolensville roads. This section will also have a separated bike/pedestrian way consisting of a10 foot asphalt trail on the road’s south side. Planning for the project started about 10 years ago; Phase 1 construction between Edmondson Pike and Sunset Road was completed almost a year ago, in December 2010.

Phase II of the project is scheduled for bid by TDOT in March 2012. The city estimates that construction could begin in May, according to Bednar.

The other new Concord Road project – from Jones Parkway east to Arrowhead Road -- also consists of widening the road to three lanes, one in each direction with the center lane being a turn lane. It too will add a separate multi-use path along the south side of the road and a 5-foot sidewalk along the north side. Right of way acquisition is currently under way and the project schedule anticipates construction beginning next summer. If all goes as planned, it will be complete in 2013. Bednar said the project will probably take about 12 months to complete.

According to a TDOT public meeting report, the purpose of the Concord Road expansion projects are to relieve traffic congestion along the corridor, to address both the horizontal and vertical safety concerns associated with the existing conditions, and to provide an alternative means of public transportation with the addition of designed bicycle/pedestrian pathways.

“Although the projects are difficult, no road closures or detours are planned,” Bednar said. Two lanes will be maintained to permit the flow of traffic.”