The purpose of a Major Thoroughfare Plan (MTP) is to guide future transportation and land use planning through the identification of both short and long-term transportation projects. While the primary focus of the plan is the list of projects, the study also includes an evaluation of the existing transportation system as well as projections for future conditions based on projected future traffic demands. In Brentwood, there are two primary challenges when considering future transportation related needs and projects. First, Brentwood's geographic location along I-65 between Nashville and Franklin/Cool Springs means that a significant portion of the future growth in traffic in and through Brentwood will be driven by land use decisions made by other entities. This then leads to the second challenge, which is how to accommodate future traffic demand, much of it from outside or flowing through Brentwood, without changing the character of the community.
It is important to note that this plan and the projects in it is, like the City's six-year capital improvements plan, an ever-evolving plan. Adoption of this plan does not commit the City to construct any improvements and some of the projects listed in the plan may never happen unless certain future land use decisions are made by the Board of Commissioners and the Planning Commission. For example, the projects related to a new I-65 interchange and extension of Murray Lane to such an interchange will not occur if the Turner property is never developed. However, having these projects listed in the plan is important as it serves as the basis for the City to require certain improvements should a development proposal for the Turner property ever come forward.
The original Brentwood 2020 Plan adopted in 1999 contained a list of 30 road improvement projects. At the time, this listing served as an update to the Major Thoroughfare Plan originally adopted in 1996. When the Brentwood 2020 Plan was updated in 2006, it included a status report on the original list of 30 projects, and several of the projects were deleted at that time. Projects deleted in 2006 included the Mallory Lane extension to Concord Road, realignment of Edmondson Pike to connect with Old Smyrna Road through what is now the Whetstone subdivision, the extension of Raintree Parkway west to Moores Lane, extension of Edmondson Pike south to Crockett Road, construction of a new east/west roadway between Sunset Road and Waller Road, and construction of a new north/south road between Concord Road and future McEwen Drive. Most of these were canceled due to approved residential development that either blocked the possibility of the project or provided alternative routes that made the project unnecessary. The Mallory Lane extension project was canceled following a citizen referendum.
The 2016 MTP Update effort included updates to the list of projects in the MTP, including a list of 21 road projects, shown below, and 13 bike and pedestrian projects, along with an associated map (See Exhibit A, attached). Of the 21 road projects, 14 were a continuation of projects that were reflected in the original 2020 plan and continued in the 2006 update.
2023 Major Thoroughfare Plan Proposed Changes:
As stated above, the MTP is an ever-evolving plan that needs periodic updates when circumstances warrant. Therefore, this update includes three proposed changes to the plan as follows:
- The Board of Commissioners adopted the Windy Hill Park Master Plan at the November 28, 2022, Board of Commissioners meeting. The 2016 MTP called for a connection of Jones Parkway through this property, but after completing the Master Planning process for the park and listening to surrounding neighborhoods, it was determined by the Board of Commissioners that this area would be better served by providing a park without the Jones Parkway connection included. Therefore, this update proposes to eliminate No. 6 on the list to be consistent with the Windy Hill Park Master Plan that was adopted.
- At the September 22, 2022, Board of Commissioners Informational Briefing, the need for the Green Hills Boulevard connection to Old Smyrna Road was discussed. While there may be some benefits to more connectivity in the area, the Commissioners determined that the impact to the surrounding neighborhoods outweighed the benefits and directed staff to pursue an amendment to the MTP. In discussing this possible connection, it was determined, with input from the City Engineer, that connecting Green Hills Boulevard to Old Smyrna Road would require significant upgrades to Old Smyrna Road and the overall benefit from a traffic improvement standpoint did not outweigh the costs. Furthermore, in checking with the City’s emergency responders, they indicated that it will not impact response times by not connecting Green Hills Boulevard to Old Smyrna Road.
- Add the realignment of Split Log Road between Pavilion Way on the south side and Sunset Road on the north side at the southern terminus of Waller Road. This realignment was not included in the 2016 update because it was outside the city limits. However, with recently completed annexations this road segment is located partially within the current Brentwood City limits and partially within the Brentwood Urban Growth Boundary. This road realignment has been planned for almost ten years pending annexation of property in this area.
- Change Sam Donald Road from a Collector Road to an Arterial Road classification from the intersection of Split Log Road to the Brentwood City Limits to the East. Arterial streets have a minimum width of 90 feet. Additional right of way may be required for turn lanes, deceleration lanes, medians, sidewalks, and bikeways. The Town of Nolensville adopted an updated Major Thoroughfare Plan in June 2022, which shows the portion of Sam Donald Road in Nolensville as a Minor Arterial Street. This change to the Brentwood Plan would be consistent with the Nolensville Plan.
| ID |
Existing Project Description |
| 1 |
Widen Granny White Pk from Virginia Way to Old Hickory Blvd |
| 2 |
Improve/Realign Old Smyrna Road |
| 3 |
Widen Wilson Pk from Concord Rd to Church St |
| 4 |
Old Smyrna Rd Extension |
| 5 |
Improve/Realign Johnson Chapel Rd to Belle Rive Dr |
6 |
Extend Jones Pkwy north to Old Smyrna Rd |
| 7 |
Improve/Realign Holly Tree Gap Rd |
| 8 |
Construct new interchange on I-65 |
| 9 |
Sunset Rd Extension |
| 10 |
Improve/Realign Ragsdale Rd |
| 11 |
Beech Grove Rd Connection to Liberty Church Rd |
| 12 |
Improve/Realign Sunset Rd |
| 13 |
Widen Moores Ln from Carothers Pkwy to Mallory Ln |
| 14 |
Improve/Realign Crockett Rd from Concord Rd to Wilson Pike |
| ID |
Existing and New Project Description |
Comments |
| 15 |
Murray Ln/Wilson Pk Connector |
Solely development driven in association with new I-65 interchange (see ID #8) |
16 |
Green Hill Blvd Extension North |
From existing terminus in Whetstone subdivision to Old Smyrna Road |
| 17 |
McEwen Dr. Extension |
From Wilson Pike east to Pleasant Hill - in conjunction with City of Franklin |
| 18 |
Improve/Realign Pleasant Hill Rd |
From Split Log Road to Clovercroft |
| 19 |
Charity Dr Extension |
Planned as part of Traditions subdivision |
| 20 |
Ivy Crest Dr Extension |
Planned as part of Taramore subdivision |
| 21 |
Town Center Way Extension |
From Franklin Road to Eastpark |
| 22 (New) |
Split Log Road Realignment |
From Pavilion Way to Sunset Road to the southern terminus of Waller Road |
| 23 (New) |
Change Sam Donald Road to an Arterial Street Classification |
From intersection of Split Log Road to the Brentwood City Limits to the East |
The plan also includes a series of identified bike and pedestrian improvement projects. These are not proposed to change with this amendment. Some of these would be associated with future road projects while others simply identify preferred corridors for expanded bike and pedestrian connectivity.
| Schedule: MTP Update 2023 |
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| Public Hearing - Board of Commissioners |
Monday, March 27, 2023 |
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| Planning Commission Review and Consideration |
Monday, April 3, 2023 |
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| Board of Commissioners Review and Consideration |
Monday, April 10, 2023 |
Please contact the Planning and Codes Director if you have any questions. |