Saturday, December 30, 2006

Transportation Project: I-269 (will follow current route of Highway 385)

To provide background information on possible projects that may be discussed, I am writing this series on transportation projects underway, planned, anticipated or even rumored! The State and County officials will have the latest available information. Many levels of approvals are involved in each project. A project could have the City, Shelby County, metro planning organization, state and federal government involved in just that one project, so the process is complicated and can take time.

I will also include latest information (to the best of my knowledge) on the status of the project and what agency needs to make a decision before the next step in the project process.

The project involves changing Highway 385 to I-269. I-69 is projected to be by the Mississippi River an I-269 will follow the present and projected Highway 385.

I am not really familiar with this project, so if you have questions, this is a good meeting to ask the top TDOT officials on the status of the project and what is planned.

(The current Lakeland Transportation Plan projects Chambers Chapel to be extended accross the Loosahatchie River to connect with I-269. This project is well in the future.)

Transportation project: Noise barriers on I-40

To provide background information on possible projects that may be discussed, I am writing this series on transportation projects underway, planned, anticipated or even rumored! The State and County officials will have the latest available information. Many levels of approvals are involved in each project. A project could have the City, Shelby County, metro planning organization, state and federal government involved in just that one project, so the process is complicated and can take time.

I will also include latest information (to the best of my knowledge) on the status of the project and what agency needs to make a decision before the next step in the project process.

Transportation project: Noise barriers on I-40

We get a lot of comments and questions on when there may be noise barriers installed on Interstate 40.

Our best answer on this is it is our understanding when I-40 is widened through Lakeland, noise barriers are installed under certain conditions.

STATUS: No action planned. When I-40 is widened, TDOT will be contacted to consider noise barriers as a part of the project.

The Lakeland Chamber meeting is a good time to ask this question is you are interested in this project. I’m sure anyone who lives close to I-40 is very interested in this project!

Transportation Project: Temporary Traffic Signals at I-40/Canada Road

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will host top Tennessee Department of Transportation, Shelby County and City of Lakeland officials at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce “Kick Off” meeting.

To provide background information on possible projects that may be discussed, I am writing this series on transportation projects underway, planned, anticipated or even rumored! The State and County officials will have the latest available information. Many levels of approvals are involved in each project. A project could have the City, Shelby County, metro planning organization, state and federal government involved in just that one project, so the process is complicated and can take time.

I will also include latest information (and to the best of my knowledge) on the status of the project and what agency needs to make a decision before the next step in the project process.

This project is to install temporary traffic signals at I-40/Canada Road to eliminate the stop signs and improve traffic flow.

This project is expected to be bid in January or February of 2007, with construction in the summer of 2007.

STATUS: Shelby County is administering this project. Shelby County will bid the project as the next step in this project.

Transportation Project I-40/Canada Road Interchange

From 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007, the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce will host top Tennessee Department of Transportation, Shelby County and City of Lakeland officials at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce “Kick Off” meeting.

To provide background information on possible projects that may be discussed, I am writing this series on transportation projects underway, planned, anticipated or even rumored! The State and County officials will have the latest available information. Many levels of approvals are involved in each project. A project could have the City, Shelby County, metro planning organization, state and federal government involved in just that one project, so the process is complicated and can take time.

I will also include latest information (and to the best of my knonwledge) on the status of the project and what agency needs to make a decison before the next step in the project process.

The I-40/Canada Road Interchange effort has been underway for some time. Currently the project is in the design stage.

The final plan of the proposed interchange project is still under review although we expect an answer in the very near future. Either a “diamond” interchange (similar to the Appling/I-40 interchange) or a “single point” (similar to the Germantown Road/Walnut Creek interchange except that the light would be on top rather than on the bottom) is planned.

The City is requesting that the State include funds for right-of-way acquisition in the next fiscal year budget with funds for actual construction in the next fiscal year budget. Anticipated completion, at the very earliest, is 2009.

STATUS: Waiting on Tennessee Department of Transportation to make the decision of whether the Interchange is to be a "diamond interchange" or a "single point" interchange.

Paul Degges information

This is information on Paul Degges, TDOT Chief Engineer, who is scheduled to appear at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Kick Off meeting at 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at the Oakwood Clubhouse.

As I noted previously, Mr. Degges is highly respected and has been very responsive to requests for information etc. by the City of Lakeland

I think Lakeland residents will enjoy meeting and hearing Ed Cole, Paul Degges, and Michael Oakes and urge all area residents and businesses to attend.


Paul D. Degges, P.E.
Chief Engineer
Tennessee Department of Transportation



The mission of TDOT is to plan, implement, maintain and manage an integrated transportation system for the movement of people and products, with emphasis on quality, safety, efficiency and the environment.

As Chief Engineer, Paul Degges oversees the design and implementation of all of TDOT’s engineering projects. Each year TDOT lets several $100 million in projects to contractors. In addition to this responsibility, Paul manages the activities of 10 divisions and 4 regional offices.

Paul received his Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and is a licensed engineer. Beginning his career with TDOT in 1988, Paul has worked within several disciplines including field construction, roadway design, information systems, hydraulic design and structures. Paul has served in many roles including Assistant Director of Construction, Director of Region 3 (Nashville), and as Transportation Administrator, which supports the Chief Engineer.

With 18 years of experience, Paul is the youngest individual to serve as Chief Engineer for TDOT. Paul and his wife, Saundra, have two children.

Ed Cole information

This is information on Ed Cole, Tennessee Department of Transportation Chief of Enviornment and Planning. Mr. Cole is scheduled to appear at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce Kick Off meeting at 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, 2007 at the Oakwood Clubhouse.

As I noted previously, Mr. Cole is highly respected and has been very responsive to requests for information etc. by the City of Lakeland

I think Lakeland residents will enjoy meeting and hearing Ed Cole, Paul Degges, and Michael Oakes and urge all area residents and businesses to attend.

Edward H. Cole

Chief of Environment and Planning
Tennessee Department of Transportation

Before his appointment by Commissioner Gerald F. Nicely to become the Chief of Environment and Planning for the Department of Transportation, Edward H. Cole served as Executive Director of Cumberland Region Tomorrow. A ten-county regional planning organization, this agency was responsible for development of a regional vision for land-use, transportation, historic site, social service and other factors that influence regional development in the Nashville area. Prior to that service he was senior principal for American Management Systems, a Fairfax, Virginia company.
Cole’s experience in state government totals 16 years. He functioned as deputy commissioner in the Department of Environment and Conservation and briefly served as interim commissioner in that department. He also had a stint as Chief of Finance and Information for the agency. His other involvement in Tennessee state government includes positions in information services in the Department of Children’s Services and the Tennessee Department of Health and Environment. He also worked briefly as an information systems consultant for the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Cabinet of the state of Kentucky.

A former employee of the Metropolitan Government in Nashville, Cole was an assistant to the executive director of MDHA from 1981 to 1983 and an environmental analyst for the Metropolitan Planning Commission and the Metropolitan Health Department from 1978 to 1981. Cole has also taught planning and political science courses at the university level and was a visiting lecturer in government at the University of Sydney, Australia from 1970-72.

A 1965 graduate in political science from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, Cole has an MS in Planning from the University of Tennessee and an MA in political science from the University of Florida.

Cole has served on many boards and commissions during his career including the Environmental Council of States, the Tennessee Public Health Association, the National Advisory Committee on Environmental Policy and Technology, the EPA Executive Steering Committee, the National Association of Information Systems Resource Executives, the Dede Wallace Mental Health Center, and the Hillsboro-West End Neighborhood Association.

Cole and his wife Pat live in Nashville where he enjoys bicycling, boating, traveling and volunteer work.









Plan to attend the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce meeting-January 11, 2007

Top State, County and City transportation officials will be available to Lakeland and area residents at the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce After Hours Kickoff at 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, January 11, 2007. The meeting will at the Oakwood Clubhouse, 10133 Matwood Oak Drive, Lakeland, Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) State Chief Engineer Paul Degges and Ed Cole, the Chief of Environment and Planning for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, Shelby County County Engineer Michael Oakes and Lakeland personnel will be present to answer questions and discuss transportation for the Lakeland and Shelby County area.

Shelby County, and County Engineer Michael Oakes have been instrumental in improving transportation in Lakeland, including a partnership on Canada Road from I-40 to Highway 64 and a planned partnership on New Canada Road from I-40 to Highway 70 with emphasis on a “context sensitive design”.

Detailed information on Paul Degges and Ed Cole will follow in separate blog entries, but both are highly respected and have been very helpful and responsive to the City of Lakeland and we are very pleased to have Mr. Degges, Mr. Cole and Mr. Oakes at one meeting and available to Lakeland residents.

Residents with questions on transportation are encouraged to attend this meeting. Pending or anticipated long-term and short-term projects in the Lakeland area include:

-I-40/Canada Road interchange upgrade

-I-40/Canada Road temporary traffic signals (to be installed in 2007)

-The proposed I-269 (proposed for the existing 385 route)

-Highway 70 safety, including speed limits, bike lanes and the intersection of Highway 70 and Canada Road

-Highway 64 speed limits and safety; the construction of New Canada Road

-Sound barriers on I-40 from approximately the MLGW water tower to Chambers Chapel Road (not planned at this time, but could be included as part of any future expansion of I-40)

-the construction of Beverle Revira Drive to connect Canada Road with Huff & Puff/Seed Tick

-the re-striping of Canada Road from approximately Green Spruce to I-40 and widening (providing additional turn lane) on Canada Road from Davies Plantation/Beverle Revira Drive to I-40

-New Canada Road from I-40 to Highway 70, including a possible partnership with Shelby County and TDOT on a “context sensitive design” of the road.

-Bike lanes and other future transportation projects.

Future entries will include discussion of these future or anticipated projects in more detail.

All Lakeland and area residents and business owners and managers are especially urged to attend this Lakeland Chamber of Commerce meeting. Transportation is essential to the survival of existing businesses and the future development of commercial businesses. Transportation is also especially important to Lakeland residents, and residential developers and builders.

Detailed information on the meeting is available at www. LakelandChamberofCommerce.com.

Friday, December 29, 2006

Fletcher Trace Construction Schedule

Construction on Fletcher Trace is expected to resume shortly after January 3, 2007, depending on the weather. Major work remaining includes “milling” (removal of some of the old asphalt) and new asphalt.

For safety reasons, the work was postponed over the holidays. Asphalt plants shut down over the holidays and we did not want to create any safety hazards. Milling leaves the street rough and weather conditions could have created major safety problems if asphalt could not be laid after the street is milled either due to weather conditions or the asphalt plants being closed.

The Work is expected to take approximately two weeks after it is restarted. Please use extra caution when using Fletcher Trace during this construction.

Friday, December 22, 2006

Karen Jarrett, City Engineer

Karen Jarrett has resigned as City Engineer after she accepted a similar position with another City. We wish Karen well and appreciate her substantial contributions to Lakeland. She will be missed both professionally and personally.

Karen is the first full-time City Engineer for the City of Lakeland. She established procedures and standards for engineering and development that provide a high standard for development in Lakeland, benefiting both current and future residents. I think she found talents in herself she didn’t realized she had as she grew professionally in her position at Lakeland.

Karen is moving to another position, but her time at Lakeland will continue to benefit Lakeland. She will be missed.

The City is currently interviewing applicants for City Engineer and expects to offer the position to an applicant for City Engineer in the near future. Of course, the time will depend on the applicants and whether the applicant accepts the offer. Applications are being accepted until the position is filled.

Monday, December 18, 2006

Holiday Schedule Changes

-Week of December 24-December 30 and December 31-January 6, 2007:

-Trash pickup will be delayed one day (Monday picked on Tuesday, Tuesday picked up on Wednesday, Wednesday picked up on Thursday, Thursday picked up on Friday, Friday picked up on Saturday)

-Recycling will be picked up on WEDNESDAY rather on Tuesday of each week.

-City Hall will be closed Monday, December 25 and Tuesday, December 26. City Hall will also be closed Monday, January 1.

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Bobbi Cornett-Art in City Hall Artist

Just in time for Christmas, Bobbi Cornett is the Artist for the Art in City Hall exhibit. Continuing the 2006 tradition of outstanding art by Lakeland artists, Bobbi Cornett's art is brightening the walls of City Hall!

Stop by and view her art! It will make you forget about the cold weather! The public is welcome to view the art at any time City Hall is open. Persons wishing to purchase art may contact the artist directly.

Thanks to applicants for Lakeland Boards and Commissions!

The Mayor and Commissioners appreciate the strong interest demonstrated by Lakeland residents in applying for positions up for appointment on the Lakeland Boards and Commissions.

Making the appointments was very difficult due to the high quality and the number of applications for the positions up for appointment/reappointment. It was even more difficult because many of the persons currently serving are doing an outstanding job and applied to continue on the Board or Commission they are currently serving on.

The City received over twenty-two applications for the eleven positions that were open for reappointment or appointment.

The Mayor and Commissioners urge all persons not appointed to continue to apply as positions become open. All positions are advertised prior to an appointment to the opening and the Board of Commissioners is pleased at the interest demonstrated by Lakeland residents.

Please do not be discouraged if you were not appointed. The City needs interested and motivated residents to serve on the Boards and Commissions!

Tuesday, December 05, 2006

ALERT-Curb address painter solicitor

On Tuesday, December 5, we received seveal complaints about an illegal solicition to paint addresses on the curb.

The vendor does not have a license and their notice did not list any address, phone number or any contact point.

We have notified the Shelby County Sheriff Department and encourage citizens not to buy from "door to door" businesses, since this is illegal in Lakeland and purchasing from them only encourages illegal behavior.

The Notice reads as follows. The copy I have was on a red piece of paper:

**NEIGHBORHOOD ADDRESS PROGRAM**

REFLECTIVE ADDRESS NUMBERS ARE BEING PIANTED ON THE CURB

Your Street will be worked on starting tomorrow. We are trying to install individual house numbers straight down the street, so in case of an emergency, especially at night, your home can be found a lot easier by ambulances, patrol cars, fire departments, cabs, repair and delivery persons. Statistics show that 75% of our homes are inadequately numbered for night use, and that’s hen these numbers really stand out.

We are doing something different. Instead of just painting numbers on the curb, we first put down a Midnight Black background, then apply large 4” white Night Vision numbers on top of he black background. This system is very attractive, extremely durable, and the numbers show up at night like street and interstate signs brilliantly reflective.

The cost of this professionally installed service is only $5.00 cash or check. A courteous representative will collect after the Reflective numbers have been installed. If not at home payment instructions will be left.

Thank you.

To be include…Print your house number on the back of this notice and put it on the inside olf a window so it can be seen from the street. We will not install you address numbers unless this slip is in the window.

***Endorsed by CRIMEWATCH AMERICAN**

Can 900 quickly find your address when every second counts


If you have any information on this, please call City Hall (867-2717) or the Shelby County Sheriff at 379-7625. If you have purchased this service, please advise City Hall of the name and number so we can contact them.

Friday, December 01, 2006

Sign Ordinance Public Input Meeting 6:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 13

Residents and business representatives are encouraged to attend a Public Input meeting on the Lakeland Sign Ordinance at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, December 13. The meeting is at Lakeland City Hall, 10001 Highway 70

The Lakeland Sign has been reviewing the Sign Ordinance and wants YOUR input on the Lakeland Sign Ordinance and especially the proposed revisions to the Lakeland Sign Ordinance Committee

Persons interested in attending should contact Jim Atkinson at 867-2717. While an RSVP is not necessary to attend, it will be beneficial to know approximately how many plan on attending.

I urge all residents and business representatives to attend this important meeting.
The Sign Committee will propose amendments to the Lakeland Board of Commissioners. The BOC will hold, at a meeting a first reading, a public hearing and a final reading before the changes are enacted.