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Council greenlights $753,190 SR‑96 improvements after debate over cheaper temporary fix
Summary
Council reviewed a $753,190 construction contract to add a median, reallocate lanes and extend turn lanes on State Route 96 near the I‑65 interchange; aldermen debated whether a temporary $70–$85k delineator solution would have sufficed, but proponents argued full work improves safety and capacity.
City staff recommended approval of a construction contract (City of Franklin 2025‑0232) for State Route 96 (Murphy Burr Road) access-control and turn-lane work, with Nickel Mill Nickel Company LLC submitting a low bid of $753,190. Staff described the project scope as a new median on SR‑96, converting shoulders east of I‑65 into through and turn lanes to increase capacity, minor turn-lane changes at Royal Oaks (near Aldi) to fix sight-distance issues, and nighttime construction where feasible.
Staff emphasized the schedule urgency: asphalt plants are closing for the season and the contractor proposed a roughly four-month construction period, with intent to issue a notice to proceed in early September and finish by December (contractor hoped to finish sooner). Work on Royal Oaks would occur in daytime; most other work will be at night.
The item drew extended debate. Several aldermen recalled a prior discussion (late 2024) of a less expensive option that used temporary delineators, with cost estimates in the roughly $70,000–$85,000 range. Alderman Barnhill characterized that option as a "throwaway" short-term fix and asked how much additional scope had been added to reach the $753,190 bid. Staff said the larger contract added milling and resurfacing of shoulders east of I‑65 and other items that improve the corridor and bring intersections closer to traffic‑engineering standards.
Alderman Berger and others pressed for safety improvements and noted the corridor’s high accident rate; Berger said the intersection was among the most dangerous in the city and supported a permanent solution. Opponents said the project added roughly $375,000 in scope beyond earlier concepts and questioned whether the full cost was necessary. Staff apologized for not presenting the added scope earlier and said internal discussions drove the additional milling/paving because it would materially improve the SR‑96 corridor.
Proponents said the permanent curb and median would be uniform with existing concrete medians in the city and would include an extended stacking/turn lane and signal adjustments to reduce unsafe u‑turns. Staff also said the project would allow better phasing and shortened signal timing at nearby intersections, improving throughput though peak‑hour failures may persist. The board did not record a formal roll-call vote in the transcript excerpt; staff indicated the item was on the consent/construction agenda and that the contractor was prepared to start work.
No final vote or formal outcome appears in the work session transcript excerpt; aldermen asked for more detail on the added scope and for stakeholder outreach to businesses along the corridor before work begins.
