Fox Run, Saddle Ridge alerted; FUD adding huge water tank
Fox Run and Saddle Ridge subdivisions residents soon can expect some utility construction traffic along Everett Road and Brochardt Boulevard.
First Utility District will be constructing a new 4 million-gallon drinking water tank next to the Everett Road tank, which is situated at 709 Brochardt Blvd.
Seth Fischer, FUD project engineer, presented FUD’s plans to Farragut Municipal Planning Commission, which took no action during the Commission’s meeting Thursday, May 15.
“The project also includes a new and expanded booster pump station,” Town Community Development director Mark Shipley said.
“Both the new tank and the new pump station will be located to the west of the existing tank and on FUD property in unincorporated Knox County,” Shipley added. “The project is largely funded through a grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation and will provide reliable portable water service for current and future growth in western Knox County and Loudon County and will involve a partnership between FUD and Lenoir City Utilities Board. Construction is expected to begin in June or July 2025 and, per the grant, must be complete by September 2026.”
While the new tank will not be in Town limits, Shipley said access to the project would be from Brochardt Boulevard, which is in Town limits.
As such, “there will be some impacts to the Fox Run and Saddle Ridge subdivisions,” he said about traffic issues. “FUD has already notified and had discussions with the homeowners neighboring the site.
“FUD has also met with the Fox Run Homeowners Association since Brochardt Boulevard will be used for the project’s access,” Shipley said, adding it “will send notifications throughout the project to customers and/or residents affected. ...”
Concerns were expressed from Fox Run resident Mike Rothman. “Our understanding is there will be 20 to 30 cement trucks a day going up Brochardt Boulevard,” he said.
“FUD has also met with the Fox Run Homeowners Association since Brochardt Boulevard will be used for the project’s access,” Shipley said, adding it “will send notifications throughout the project to customers and/or residents affected by the project.”
“Our concern is, one, how long is this going to be going on, roughly?” Rothman asked.
Another concern is the residents being able to get in and out of their driveways “if you have a parade of 20 or 30 trucks,” he said. “Traffic control is an issue.”
Rothman had asked if FUD had put any money aside for any construction road damage and was told, “No, that’s the responsibility of the Town.”
“I want to clarify I did not say if we damage a road that it is the Town’s responsibility,” Fischer said.
“As we damage a road in installing a utility line, we’re going to repair it to your standards. I said you would have the final say on whether or not we damaged it ...,” he added.
