County commissioners say proposed Highway 11E traffic study would overlap TDOT plans; sponsorship withdrawn

Two county commissioners told the Bluff City Board that a previously proposed traffic study for Highway 11E — stretching from the flea market area past Piney Flats Crossroads — would substantially overlap with an existing Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) project and therefore would not be an efficient use of local funds.

The commissioners said the initial study would have cost about $25,000 and been split between Sullivan County, Bluff City and Johnson City (roughly $8,300 each). After discussing the TDOT plans and measuring the proposed study limits, county staff and the state indicated the immediate corridor included in TDOT's planned improvements would encompass much of the study area and that a local study would largely duplicate work already in TDOT's schedule.

One commissioner said TDOT has the crossroads improvement on its multi‑year plan and that the crossroads project is expected in two to three years; the local sponsor therefore removed their name from the proposed county resolution to avoid perceived waste. Commissioners said they are continuing to press for upgrades, including possible red‑light timing adjustments during school hours and coordination with Representative Hill to seek accelerated funding or supplemental measures.

County commissioners also reported ongoing grant research for local projects and raised constituent issues for the board's attention (including a constituent question about sewer billing). Commissioners asked the town to continue coordination with county and state officials as the TDOT schedule and funding evolve.