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Members of the community gathered Tuesday evening to hear the latest developments on improvements to Hwy. 127 North from Interstate 40 to Clarkrange, but when TDOT Project Manager Ann Andrews said it would be four more years before construction could begin, the announcement was met with heavy sighs and murmurings of "we can't wait that long."

Bob and Karen Whittenburg, who live across Hwy. 127 from North Cumberland Elementary, where the meeting was held, said a decision on a route needed to be made, soon.

"I wish they'd make up their mind and get on with it," Bob Whittenburg said.

The project began in 1999 when local officials in Cumberland and Fentress counties asked for a feasibility study on improving the route. Motorists had long complained of traffic congestion and problems with the road alignment, such as sharp curves and limited sight, and to provide Fentress County with access to Interstate 40 for economic development.

In 2003, the project was recommended for the Context Sensitive Design process and in 2004 the Citizens Resource Team and Clarkrange Working Group, both made up of area residents, business owners and civic leaders, began work.

The project was divided into six segments, following the existing Hwy. 127 alignment in three of the segments, and with alternatives possible in three others: east of the current route from Tabor Loop to North Cumberland Elementary, east of the current route from North Cumberland to No Business Creek, and west of the current route from Lick Fork Creek to Mary Carr Rd. The Clear Creek crossing would move off the current route, as well, to allow traffic to continue to move during construction and allow for a larger crossing east of the current location.

In 2006, the teams recommended TDOT construct an improved four- or five-lane highway along the current Hwy. 127 alignment, and a draft environmental impact statement was compiled to include that option. The document looked at possible impacts to streams and waterways, wildlife, historic sites, businesses, farms and homes.

The information will be given to TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely, and a final decision on the alignment chosen will be made by early spring, Andrews said.

Karen Whittenburg favors keeping the improved road along the current route. "If they go off this route, it's still going to be 127, we'll still have the traffic and the county will have to maintain the roads."

But keeping the road along that route will mean a number of families will lose their homes. Using the Blue route, or current route, the number of homes affected is estimated at 100 if a four-lane road is built, and 87 if a five-lane road is constructed. The number drops if alternatives are used. The Blue Route would also affect two churches, one daycare, the Rinnie Fire Station and 13 businesses.

Anna Taylor, a 64-year resident of the Rinnie Community, said using the existing route would destroy the community and take the homes of people who had lived there for generations.

There are also environmental concerns. Clear Creek is a habitat for the Spotfin Chub, a fish, and the Cumberland Rosemary, a plant, both of which are protected species. Increased sediment could be introduced into the stream during construction, but, the report states, conservation techniques can be used to minimize that threat and should pose no threat to the species.

There are also a number of waterways in the area. Bridge crossings and culverts would be used to minimize the effects of a roadway, according to the report, but taking the road off its current path would result in more disruption of the natural environment and the rural nature of the area.

Yvonne Seperich, member of the National Federation of Wildlife, said, "[Fish and Wildlife] has told TDOT they are concerned about all this highway and how it will affect the wildlife, the fish, the birds, because if you use the new route, it's going to tear up all that forestry and where the birds are and the animals. Staying with the Blue Route is the best way to go."

A new route would also divide farm land, splitting parcels of land.

Toni Roberts, a resident of the area, said, "One of my main concerns about the project is about maintaining the rural nature of our communities. I have seen development occur when four lanes are put through rural communities."

Roberts noted her uncle was almost in a fatal accident while traveling on the shoulder of a four-lane highway on a tractor, attempting to get from one piece of his farm to another.

But construction of the road is still years away, and many residents are concerned about the safety of the highway. There were 385 crashes on the highway from Jan. 1, 2003 to Dec. 31, 2005, the latest statistics available. Of those, about a third, 146, resulted in personal injury, and there were five traffic fatalities.

Bill Smith, pastor at a local church, asked what could be done in the meantime to help the situation, especially in the area of Tabor Loop.

"To get access to 127 is a nightmare," Smith said. "We need some help. I've seen several fatalities on those curves. We need some help and we need it ASAP."

Comments from the meeting and previous public comments will be compiled, along with the environmental report and other documentation and will be presented to Nicely, who will chose which alternative to proceed with. Following that, a final environmental impact statement will be prepared and given to the Federal Highway Administration for a Record of Decision. The Record of Decision is required before final design and right-of-way acquisition can proceed.

Written comments may be submitted to TDOT for inclusion in the final report. Comments must be postmarked by Dec. 28. Mail to Tennessee Department of Transportation, Project Comments, 505 Deaderick St., Suite 300, James K. Polk Building, Nashville, TN 37243-0332. For information about the project, see the Web site at www.tdot.state.tn.us/us127n/default.htm.