Franklin's Mayor and Board of ALdermen have yet to decide on the design of the Goose Creek exit.
"We don't have all the information ready to present to the board," said Mayor John Schroer. "We are still waiting to hear back from TDOT."
The state has said if Franklin officials do not want to spend the additional $4.8 million for the SPUI, they will redesign the project, but the city will have to pay for the design work already done. That is the number Schroer and others are waiting on.
Franklin asked TDOT to use a SPUI at the Goose Creek interchange and city staff continue to recommend the design due to development pressures in the area.
CIP Executive Dave Parker and City Administrator Eric Stuckey said traffic volumes already exceed limits where a SPUI - "which are considered to have more capacity than diamond interchanges" - are warranted. Complicating the matter is the fact neither man believes the traffic count projected by the Metropolitan Planning Organization take into account the Berry Farms development, which includes 400 residential units and 2.2 million square feet of commercial and office use in the area.
During the 7 p.m. voting meeting, aldermen delayed the matter until Feb. 9.
Many people think that without the exchange and expanding I-65 to 4 lanes, Development south of highway 96 will be very slow.
Larry, is this why it takes so long to get something done. They have been talking about this exit for at least 4 years. We all could have been out there with our shovels and make the exit ourselves by now.
I wonder if any of the parties involved with the decision have a personal interest? As realtors , we have to disclose any personal interest, but not politicians.