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TDOT Addressing Concerns Over East Brainerd Widening

287 views · Published 2 November 2012 · 2:20 · Indexed 8 November 2026

Channel: WTVC NewsChannel 9 · 2012 · News & Politics

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by Alyssa Spirato  Thanks to a new road project by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, you may now be able to have that extra cup of coffee before hitting the road for your morning commute.That's because TDOT is making plans to widen an almost 4 mile stretch of East Brainerd Road. But as we found out, while some are for the plan, others are hesitant.The project will start at Graysville Road, and make it's way all the way East to Ooltewah-Ringgold.     Bones Smokehouse is nestled right off of East Brainerd Road. A 13-year-tradition that's now going to need some remodeling as it sits right in the path of TDOT'S road widening project."We're going to lose probably a 1/3 of the building on front, as the road comes through," says General Manager and Partner, Tim Bishop.The 12 to 15 million dollar project will widen East Brainerd from 2 lanes to 5. It's something Bishop supports, but isn't looking forward to the interruptions it may have on his business."Obviously they see the area's growing and they see the need to do it. All things being considered, the way it affects our business, we wouldn't like it happen, but it's going to happen so we're going to have to deal with it," says Bishop.The area has served as a traffic headache for some time, causing mile long delays during rush hour, and creating stress for parents picking up their kids from school. But some say the widening won't solve the problem. Like Tammi Williams, who lives right across the street from Westview Elementary."Like I said, it's mostly the speeding, and if you add more lanes in here, it's just going to be worse I think," says Williams.Williams is also worried about how close the new road will be."If it goes any further into my yard, my main concern is going to be I have a 6-year-old daughter at home. I watch my grandson, he's 14 months. That'll be right in my front door, and as crazy as they drive now, one false move, that car could go right through my house," says Williams.TDOT predicts the widening will take about 2-3 years and will be split up into 2 different phases.

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