As the City of Spring Hill’s $3.5 million acquisition of 210 properties for road right-of-way is wrapping up on Duplex Road, the relocation of utilities is now underway in preparation for TDOT’s widening of Duplex Road (S.R. 247).
Utilities, both above and underground, must be moved to the edges of the expanded right-of-way path by each of the respective utility companies (including Middle Tennessee Electric, Columbia Power, City of Spring Hill Water and Sewer, Atmos Energy natural gas, Charter Communications, and AT&T).
Additional, temporary wooden power poles are being placed alongside existing poles to transfer power lines in preparation for the road expansion. Permanent metal poles will be installed later.
“We are pleased to see the utility relocation phase progressing in advance of the actual road construction phase to help eliminate utility conflicts that will allow road construction work to progress efficiently,” Assistant City Administrator Chuck Downham said. “With so many utilities affected by this road project, we appreciate the cooperation and coordination that is being provided by all the utility providers as the utility relocation process continues to move forward.”
The relocation of utilities is being funded by the City of Spring Hill at an additional cost of about $3.5 million, while the coordinating of each of the utility companies and management of the relocation project is being handled by TDOT.
TDOT will fund the $17.3 million construction of the widening, currently anticipated for bid letting later this summer.
The total $22.25 million project will widen the full 3.1-mile stretch of Duplex Road to three lanes (two travel lanes and a center turn lane) from U.S. 31 (Main Street) to I-65, complete with curb and gutter, a sidewalk on the south side of the road and a multi-use path on the north side. The sidewalk and multi-use path will each be separated from the roadway by a narrow grass median.
The project includes installation of four new traffic signals on Duplex, two of which have already been installed by the City at Port Royal Road and Miles Johnson Parkway. The other two signals will be installed at Buckner Lane and Commonwealth Drive. The project also will greatly improve vertical and horizontal alignment by cutting down taller blind hills and aligning the roadway for better visibility.