TDOT Reinforces Timeline for Mack Hatcher Project
Everything is right on schedule according to TDOT Commissioner

Nashville, Tennessee - The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) today announced that the Mack Hatcher Parkway Extension project (SR 397) is right on schedule. TDOT re-released a timeline for the project today and also released information about the public hearing schedule for the project TDOT officials describe as “highly community driven.”

“We are right where we need to be at this point with the Mack Hatcher project,” said TDOT Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “We are at the stage of awaiting final approval from the Federal Highway Administration for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, and we are just months away from beginning our public hearings, which are key to the success of this process.”

Nicely said the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is now in under review by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

“After that document has received final approval, we can officially begin the public input process early this fall,” Nicely said.

According to Nicely, the department will be using an enhanced public involvement procedure for the alignment or route selection which will extend several months beyond the corridor hearing. The decision will be made once all public comments are compiled and reviewed.
The proposed Mack Hatcher Extension would loop around the west side of Franklin from US-31 to US-431. The extension would be approximately eight miles long.
The tentative schedule of activities includes:

• FHWA will provide the DEIS to its Atlanta Regional Office by May 7, 2004 for legal review. TDOT expects to receive comments from this process by June 12, 2004.
• TDOT expects FHWA approval of the DEIS by July 29, 2004.
• The DEIS should be posted on the Federal Register by mid-August, 2004.
• Public meeting to receive comments will be scheduled for mid-September, 2004.
• Hearing transcripts will be compiled and an alignment selection will be made by late November or early December, 2004.

This schedule is consistent with those presented at previous meetings involving staff from TDOT, TVA, Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Cooperative, members of the General Assembly, and staff from the City of Franklin and Williamson County.