TDOT Announces Decision on Mack Hatcher Parkway Citizens’ Design Team Recommendations
Commissioner Nicely Approves Design Concepts

Nashville, Tenn. – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) announced today that the state will move forward with the recommendations submitted by the Mack Hatcher Citizens’ Design Team (CDT). The team identified several conceptual design features for the existing portion of the Mack Hatcher Parkway and the future western extension.

“The formulation of this design team and the process that followed is part of the Context Sensitive Solutions philosophy we have implemented at TDOT,” said Commissioner Gerald Nicely. “The input from this team of citizens is invaluable to this agency, and will result in a project that will maintain the character of this beautiful community and serve the city of Franklin for years to come.”

“I want to also extend my appreciation to the citizens who devoted so many hours to this project. Their involvement early in the design process will provide a roadway that best represents our community,” added Tom Miller, Mayor of Franklin.

The recommendations from the CDT came as a result of a year long design process that began in March of 2006, which involved a cross section of residents, and a resource of personnel from the Federal Highway Administration, TDOT, the city of Franklin, and Williamson County.

The primary CDT Conceptual Design Recommendations include:

• 4-lane limited access facility
• Context sensitive design for Existing Corridor, Southall Hills, West Harpeth, and Harpeth River Crossings character segments
• Bike & Pedestrian facility featuring a multi-use path where feasible
• Single point interchange for Franklin Road and existing Mack Hatcher
• Steel & Concrete girder bridges over the Harpeth River
• Continued citizen involvement throughout the project development process

“As a group, we feel the design of the Mack Hatcher Parkway preserves the scenic and historic resources that give Franklin its unique character,” said CRT member Mark McCutcheon. “I’m honored to be a part of this process and thankful for the input we’ve been allowed to share.”

These design recommendations, which represent the vision of the community, are subject to additional study and refinement during the actual design process.

Currently, TDOT has programmed two segments of the Mack Hatcher Parkway for development: the northwest segment of the western extension from Highway 96 to Hillsboro Road, and the existing eastern segment from Murfreesboro Road to Franklin Road. The northwest segment is funded for engineering only. The eastern segment is funded through the right-of-way phase only.

The remaining southwest and southeast segments are not in TDOT’s program, but are in the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Long Range Transportation Plan for future development.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for the city of Franklin and the state of Tennessee to partner on a project and to demonstrate a process that in the end serves the City’s traffic and aesthetic needs, meets the criteria set forth by the state, and, more importantly, benefits the citizens of Franklin,” said Mayor Miller.

TDOT is currently in discussion with the city of Franklin regarding possible partnerships for the future development of the Mack Hatcher Parkway, including the possibility of the city’s undertaking the design phase of the project.