Thread: I-69 seen as roadblock to progress

I-69 seen as roadblock to progress

Path uncertainty standing in way of development

By Sherri Drake

March 16, 2007

Local real estate agents, brokers and developers raised concerns about the uncertainty of the Interstate 69 project to Tennessee Department of Transportation officials Thursday.

Many complained that the slow-moving project is killing property sales in the area, with buyers not wanting to get stuck in a home that may be in the path of the interstate, which will run through Tipton County and Millington.

I-69 is a trade route that will run from Canada to Mexico.

At the Millington Tipton Realty Association meeting Thursday, everyone wanted to know when TDOT will announce exactly where the highway will be and when it may be complete.

TDOT has decided on a 1,000-foot wide stretch running west of U.S. 51. But they don't know where the 350-foot highway will be within that area.

And they don't want to give false hope about when the project will be complete. Depending on federal funding, it could be many years from now.

"I can't tell you when it's going to be built, unless it's funded," said TDOT project manager Steve Chipman.

The 65-mile stretch from Dyersburg to Millington is still in the environmental stage (stage two of five). That process can take five to seven years and TDOT hopes to have that phase complete next year, Chipman said.

Next would be the design stage, when the exact location of the highway is decided. It could take two to three years. Completing all five stages could take about 10 years.

"We're trying to move forward with the process as fast as we can," Chipman said.

Candice Joyner, with RE-MAX Right Way in Millington, said many in the realty business are suffering because of the lack of answers about the project.

Buyers worry that if they purchase a home, they won't be able to sell it five years from now. Realtors don't know what to tell them.

"You're talking about stagnating a lot of people's properties," Joyner said.


http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/mil ... 40,00.html

So they can snatch it up cheap later.

Dixie

Trade route from Mexico to Canada? What is the USA, just a trade route, welfare funding for mexicans, and consumers of drugs from mexico? Doesn't sound very good for america.