It's a decision area residents and government leaders have been waiting for almost nine years to hear. The Tennessee Department of Transportation will move forward with the Hwy. 127 North road project, using the current route.

"We can plan what we want to do now," said Dwight Hoover, a Rinnie resident. One of the alternate routes considered would have come near his home. "It was stressful. It got us pretty upset, but I'm pleased they decided to go that route."

The highway will primarily be a four-lane divided roadway with a grass median stretching 14 miles from Interstate 40 in Cumberland County to Hwy. 62 in Fentress County.

Ann Andrews, project manager for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, said construction was still about four years away. A final Environmental Impact Statement must be completed and approved before design of the roadway can begin. The survey and design phase will take about two years, Andrews said, and the right-of-way acquisition would take about two years. Each phase is funded independently, and the project will be broken into four sections. This timeline, Andrews noted, is dependent on funding of both right-of-way acquisition and construction.

"If funding is available for both phases, the construction could begin in approximately four years on one of the sections," Andrews 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, sharp curves and limited sight. Fentress County leaders also sought a better route to Interstate 40 to aid with economic development.

In 2003, the project was recommended for the Context Sensitive Solution process. Area residents, business owners and civic leaders began work in 2004 as part of a Citizens Resource Team and Clarkrange Working Group. The teams evaluated improving the existing roadway versus moving the roadway off the current route in three segments, Tabor Loop to North Cumberland Elementary, North Cumberland to No Business Creek and Lick Fork Creek to Mary Carr Rd.

"I want to thank the Citizens Resource Team and the Clarkrange Working Group for their hard work and dedication to their communities," said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. "Their input was very valuable in guiding TDOT's decisions about this project, and the time they put into the process is very much appreciated."

In 2006, the citizen teams recommended an improved roadway following the existing route. Environmental studies began at that time studying the citizen-recommended route and alternates proposed by TDOT. The results of the study were presented in a public meeting held in December.

Many at that meeting favored keeping the road on its current route.

Gradys Harvill, a resident of the Rinnie community, told the Chronicle, "That's where I thought they should put it all along. The state owns it, and I couldn't see why they wanted to go off that."

But, keeping the road on this route will come with a price. The expanded, four-lane highway will affect an estimated 100 homes, two churches, one daycare, the Rinnie Fire Station and 13 businesses. Some at the December meeting said the highway would take the homes of people who had lived in the communities for generations. Others noted at that time that, while alternates might affect fewer homes, they could destroy the rural character of the area.

Ned Serleth, a member of the CRT, said, "I'm quite pleased with TDOT's final decision to improve the highway using the exisiting route. The question now is, how can we make a four-lane divided behemoth as unobtrusive as possible in order to keep the rural character? We need to remember, it's not the destination but the journey that matters."

Save Our Cumberland Mountains, a grass roots organization, has monitored the 127 North project during the past seven years. Steve Roberts, a SOCM member and local resident, said, "The commissioner's decision to use the exisiting right-of-way follows the will of the people, who have said time and time again, 'Improve it, don't move it.' Every time we need road improvements, it just doesn't make sense to abondon the roads we've got and consume more natural resources. Now, people whose lives have been in limbo, wondering which route TDOT was going to choose, can finally get on with their lives."

The Citizens Resource Team recommended a Context Sensitive Design Team be formed to work with TDOT on specific design issues, including the crossing of Clear Creek at the county line, the entrance to North Cumberland Elementary School and the entrance to the Clarkrange community. Andrews said this was a continuation of the Context Sensitive Solution process. She will be contacting members of the CRT and CWG to see which members are interested in working with TDOT on the design process.

"I look forward to their ideas and think there will be valuable input," Andrews said.

For more information about the Hwy. 127 N. project, see the TDOT Web site at www.tdot.state.tn.us/us127n/default.htm.