Lakeland selects single-point interchange for exit 20

The Lakeland Board of Commissioners decided to provide funding for upgrading the design of the Canada Road/I-40 exit 20 interchange from a “diamond” design to a “single-point” design.

The Board of Commissioners made the decision after hearing the upgraded design will be functional (from the standpoint of handling traffic) up to 15 years longer. (Although not mentioned at the meeting, I have heard forecasts of the single point design functional life of 40 years and beyond versus 20 years for the diamond design.)

Other benefits of the single point I have heard are reductions in “waiting” time, reductions in emissions (thus improving air quality), easier access to businesses in the area of the interchange, and safer traffic flows.

The City is requesting that the city share be a maximum of 3 million dollars and especially that the new design not have a negative impact on the schedule of the project. I believe there is an excellent chance that the city share may be capped at a maximum of 3 millions dollars and that the new design will not delay the project.

Other levels of government (County, State and Federal) and other private sources will be requested to participate in this project in recognition that the single-point design will benefit the entire region, not just Lakeland.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation will complete the design of the interchange and acquire necessary easements prior to bidding construction of the interchange.

We appreciate the assistance and substantial work of many Lakeland residents in their support of the single point interchange design.