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Atoka updates Main Street roundabout plan; town to buy right-of-way and pursue state driveway-permit workaround
Summary
Atoka officials reported survey results that clarify railroad property lines and outlined a TDOT‑approved driveway‑permit route to acquire right‑of‑way and build a Main Street roundabout; an early engineer estimate is about $580,000 with contingency.
Town staff told the board that survey work to establish railroad property lines for the Main Street roundabout is complete and that the town is coordinating with the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) on a streamlined driveway‑permit process.
The survey shows the property extents required for right‑of‑way acquisition, which in turn are needed for damage calculations and the uniform act take/valuation steps. Under the pathway currently proposed, TDOT will accept a driveway permit allowing the town to purchase right‑of‑way in the state’s name and then quitclaim the property to TDOT so the state can allow construction on its route. Staff said TDOT is providing a permitting workaround because federal funding is in hand.
An engineering update provided cost guidance: the town’s engineer reported a preliminary estimate of about $580,000 for the roundabout design and construction, with a 10 percent contingency included in that figure. The board has previously set aside $300,000 and an additional $200,000 in reserves toward the project; staff said the current estimate exceeds that set‑aside amount. Construction scheduling assumes plans completed this summer and an award later in the year; if weather cooperates, the town hopes to construct in late fall or finish early next year.
Why it matters: the right‑of‑way purchase, permitting approach and final cost estimate determine how the town will finance the project and whether additional appropriation or reallocation is needed from the fiscal 2026 budget.
Staff said the next steps are to finalize the take (the precise right‑of‑way lines and damage percentages), present the finalized plans to TDOT for permit approval, and advertise the project for bid. The board asked about timing and whether the town faces a scheduling crunch; staff said TDOT is on its own schedule but the town expects to have construction wrapped up in favorable weather windows or continue into early next year if needed.
No formal vote on acquisition was taken during the meeting; staff will return with final right‑of‑way take, updated schedule and bid-ready plans when available.
