Virtue Phase 2 plans in motion

Town of Farragut has reached an agreement with Tennessee Department of Transportation to develop plans for Phase 2 improvements along Virtue Road, from 1,200 feet south of Needlegrass Lane to Willow Cover Way at Boyd Station.

This was announced during Farragut Mayor and Board of Aldermen meeting Thursday, Sept. 22, in Town Hall.

With Phase 1 completed in March, Phase 2 improvements feature widening the road to create two 11-foot lanes, along with curb and gutter and a 10-foot shared-use path connection and straightening the curve.

The project includes federal matching funding through Knoxville Regional Transportation Planning Organization.

“Currently, the PE-NEPA ($316,000 from federal and $79,200 local) and PE-Design phases ($292,000 federal/$73,020) of this project are funded in the FY2020-23 Transportation Improvement Program,” Town engineer Darryl Smith said.

“We will request federal funding for the construction phase in the FY2026-29 TIP,” he added.

According to the agreement, the Town is paying 20 percent of the PE-NEPA and PE design phases. While the right-of-way and construction costs are the Town’s responsibility, Smith said he is hoping to get more federal or state-grant funding.

In other business, BOMA approved:

• A $258,156 contract with Duracap Asphalt Paving Co. Inc. to make Kingston Pike pedestrian crosswalk improvements at the Pike’s intersections with Campbell Station Road, Brooklawn Street, Lenden Welch Way/Biddle Farms Boulevard and Concord Road/West End Avenue.

They plan to install stamped and colored crosswalks at those intersections. The completion date is expected to be the end of November.

• An annual contract for a 2022-2023 Tennessee Vacation Guide print and digital advertising has been agreed upon. Total cost is $15,745.

• The Beer Board approved a Class 6 special event beer permit for Harvest Fest, sponsored by Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance. It will take place from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30, in Village Green shopping center parking lot.

• Michelle Morrow has been appointed to Education Relations Committee.