Growth prompts Edgemoor corridor planning
Anderson County is looking ahead to how development and major road improvements could reshape the Edgemoor Road corridor.
The County Commission unanimously voted at its Aug. 17 meeting to move forward with an Appalachian Regional Commission planning grant for the corridor to help the county figure out what it wants to promote in that area, and draft a report.
The discussion comes in light of Type One Energy moving into the area, and state changes to the road.
County Mayor Terry Frank proposed applying for the grant dyring an Operations Committee meeting Aug. 10.
The ARC is a development partnership of the federal government and 13 states, including Tennessee, which provides grants to local governments.
Frank explained that with Type One Fusion and other moves, the corridor was going to change with both the road expanding and new pedestrian and bike routes, making it helpful for the county to look at planning how best to use the area’s assets and work with stakeholders.
So, the county plans, if funding comes in from the ARC, to do a report to the County Commission about improvements along the corridor.
The report will look at issues like safety and zoning— possibly for shopping and commercial development, environmental protection or both. Frank said the commission will need to decide later on whether to receive and match the grant.
“The corridor really encompasses more than just the road itself,” Frank said. “It would be everything off the road.”
She said it might include Blockhouse Valley with its nature preserve and landfill or a portion of Clinton Highway as an entrance to the county.
Specific recommendations like parks, commercial areas and lighting will depend on recommendations.
Frank said it was likely that funding for the study would be 50% from ARC and 50% from the county.
The state’s changes to the area, which are inspiring the county to look at these plans, involve changing the road from two to four lanes, providing a raised median or center turn lane, and putting a new bridge over the Clinch River towards Oak Ridge.
The state is also planning to add a sidewalk and a shared-used path for bicycles and other non-motorized vehicles.
Construction will begin in 2029, regardless of the county’s plans for how to work with it.