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Council authorizes Rutledge Way right‑of‑way acquisition but pauses connector construction pending traffic study
Summary
After extended debate about wetlands, traffic patterns and community impacts, the council voted to acquire right‑of‑way for the Rutledge Way extension, direct staff to expedite an updated traffic study and to defer building the Rutledge connector until council reviews the study and related impacts.
The Murfreesboro City Council on Dec. 4 approved acquiring right-of-way for the Rutledge Way extension but directed staff not to proceed with the full connector construction to Rutledge until additional traffic modeling and visual impact information are completed.
Staff described the project's history: environmental permitting and wetland mitigation are complete and the city has incurred mitigation and right‑of‑way costs. Council members expressed differing views over whether to build a full connection now, construct a stub or cul‑de‑sac, or wait for updated traffic data. Several members emphasized preserving the option to build the connection later if future study shows net benefits.
City counsel advised that disclosure made by a council member did not create a conflict under state law and the city ethics code. After discussion, council voted to acquire the necessary right‑of‑way, expedite updated traffic analysis and hold off on further construction until the study and additional design delineations are reviewed. The motion carried on a roll-call vote.
What happens next: legal staff will proceed with right‑of‑way acquisition steps as directed. Staff also said it will expedite traffic model updates and provide more detailed survey/delineation visuals showing how proposed roadwork would affect the pond and wetlands so council can decide whether to connect Rutledge to Rutherford Boulevard or to proceed with a cul‑de‑sac option.
