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Consent

12.

Brentwood City Commission Agenda

Meeting Date:	06/26/2023
Resolution 2023-72 - Authorizing a Resolution of Support for the Future Rocky Fork Road to McEwen Drive East Corridor and Corridor Management
Submitted by:	Darek Baskin, Engineering
Department:	Engineering

Information

Subject

Resolution 2023-72 - Authorizing a Resolution of Support for the future Rocky Fork Road to McEwen Drive East Corridor and Corridor Management

Background

Rutherford and Williamson Counties have experienced tremendous growth in municipalities such as Smyrna, La Vergne, Nolensville, Franklin, and Brentwood, as well as the unincorporated areas of both counties. A new east-west corridor connecting Rutherford and Williamson Counties has been identified as an important need to address travel demand associated with this growth. A new road between Smyrna and Franklin is included in the current Nashville Area MPO 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). This proposed road is classified as an “illustrative” project, meaning no funding source and no horizon year has been identified.

The Town of Smyrna has coordinated a group of affected local government stakeholders to advance the proposed new east-west road connection. The project is labeled the Rocky Fork Road to McEwen Drive Corridor Study. The purpose of the study was to complete a planning level analysis of potential alignments that identifies fatal flaws, obstacles or challenges and an order of magnitude of cost. This information is intended to enable local, regional and state stakeholders to make informed decisions on the feasibility of potential corridor alignments.

The study included representation from all local governments directly impacted by the study corridor and proposed alignments, including:

• Town of Smyrna
• City of Franklin
• City of Brentwood
• Town of Nolensville
• City of LaVergne
• Williamson County
• Rutherford County

Collectively, these local governments are referred to as the Stakeholder Group. Additionally, the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) participated in the study process in an observatory capacity. Supporting documentation and the completed study is attached, and the results of the study are summarized in the following.

After carefully considering the shortlisted alignments, the Stakeholder Group agreed to a Preferred Alignment that is a combination of Alignments A and AC3 as depicted in Figure 39 (page 63) of the attached report and attached separately. Note that the proposed alignment of the road within or near Brentwood between Wilson Pike and Clovercroft Road is consistent with the alignment determined by the City 15+ years ago so no major land use or route modifications are required in Brentwood except for a minor adjustment where the existing Pleasant Hill Road meets Clovercroft Road to allow for a continuous transition in lieu of the existing T-intersection. Most of the alignment debate that occurred during the study was related to the various alternatives impacting the Nolensville area.

Each of these alignments has its advantages and disadvantages. Alignment A provides a more direct connection, maintains the existing route and intersection at Williams Road/York Road and Nolensville Road, and avoids impacts to the Williams Property southwest of the intersection. In contrast, Alignment AC3 is a less direct route and will impact the Williams Property as well as potentially the properties on Sanford Road. If this alignment is constructed, there is a possibility that the remaining segment of Williams Road between Alignment AC3 and Nolensville Road would be removed, resulting in a three-way intersection at York Road and Williams Road.

The advantage of Alignment AC3 is that it avoids passing through the school zone adjacent to Mill Creek Elementary and Middle schools on York Road. The Town of Nolensville is concerned that a major road corridor will form a barrier between the school and neighborhoods on the opposite side of the street. In response to this concern, Figure 40 (page 64) illustrates an alternative typical section for the corridor with design elements that encourage lower motor vehicle speeds and includes a dedicated high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) signal for pedestrian crossing at the school. Nolensville would also like for a pedestrian bridge to be considered in corridor design if this alignment is ultimately chosen.

The identification of the Preferred Alignment through consensus of six participating local governments and with participation of GNRC is a significant step forward to the development of a new east-west corridor. The partners can continue to advance the development of the corridor through further steps, including joint implementation of corridor management strategies as outlined in the attached resolution. These strategies are intended to preserve the corridor and advance its development consistent with the study results. The strategies include 1.) Access Management, 2.) Traffic Management and Operations, 3.) Land Use Planning, and 4.) Roadway Design and Capacity.

Please direct any questions to the Engineering Director or City Manager.

Staff Recommendation

Staff recommends approval of the attached resolution.

Previous Commission Action

The extension of McEwen Drive east of Wilson Pike is a direct part of this preferred alignment for the Rocky Fork Road connection. As part of a lawsuit settlement in 2007, Brentwood and Franklin entered into an agreement that, among other things, provided for a boundary adjustment between the two cities south of Split Log Road and east of Wilson Pike. The agreement provided that the new boundary would generally be the northern right-of-way of the future McEwen Drive extension in the area of the Traditions and Morgan Farms subdivisions east of Wilson Pike. In a later ruling, funding for the future road would fall to the two cities and the required changes were reflected in a 2011 amendment to the original agreement.

On December 14th, 2020, the City Commission approved an amendment to an agreement between the cities of Brentwood and Franklin regarding cost shares of the extension of McEwen Drive out to existing city limits of Brentwood.

On February 22, 2021, the City Commission approved a contract with Alfred Benesch & Co. to design the extension of McEwen Drive, in partnership with the City of Franklin.

Fiscal Impact

Attachments
Resolution 2023-72
Signed Resolution
Corridor Management Resolution
Final Preferred Rocky Fork to McEwen Alignment
Final Report of Alignment Study
Presentation
2008 Brentwood McEwen Alignment Study