Heather Neeley, Oak Ridge North city manager, said proposed changes to the traffic control plan could result in a shortened timeline for the project. The city is in the process of finalizing a new traffic control plan.
Phase 1 of the plan was approved by City Council during a special meeting Oct. 18. Council members said they wanted to avoid routing traffic through residential streets, so the plan routes traffic from Robinson to behind the Oak Ridge North Community Center. As of November, the traffic control plans were being evaluated by project engineers.
In addition, Neeley said the city is working with local residents and businesses to purchase rights of way—easements that allow traffic to travel through another person’s land. Neeley said right of way acquisition takes time, and the city is awaiting acquisition for some rights of way along Robinson.
Looking ahead
As of November, the city is waiting for a finalized design from project engineers. Once that design is finalized, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Drainage District 6 and railroad officials have to be in agreement and have certain requirements met regarding the Robinson project. Project engineers have not provided the city with an estimate on when the design will be finalized.
The Robinson realignment is Oak Ridge North’s first step to build its planned Plaza District, a commercial zone that will be located north and south of the road.
“Once Robinson Road is built, the hope is that more development will commence in the Plaza District,” Neeley said. “With this new development, sales and property tax should increase, which once again keeps the burden off of the residents when it comes to setting property tax rates each year.”
According to the city, the estimated cost for construction is $6 million. The city is funding the project with certificates of obligation, which allow local governments to issue long-term debt for a variety of uses, including public infrastructure projects, without voter approval, according to the state comptroller’s office. They are backed by the city’s tax increment reinvestment zone and economic development corporation.
“The widening of Robinson Road has long been a necessity,” Neeley said. “The city believes that by opening the road, it helps move mobility through the city. It will also allow the city to develop the Plaza District, which will bring money into the city and help sustain the city’s budget for years to come."
