County approves temporary and permanent utility easements for Thompson Lane widening

Rutherford County’s Property Management Committee approved two easement actions related to the state-led widening of Thompson Lane (State Route 268).

Staff told the committee Atmos Energy needs a roughly 543-square-foot temporary workspace easement at the Thompson Lane/Segal Road corner to relocate a gas line that conflicts with the state’s widening project. County staff reviewed the agreement and found it in order; the agreement’s temporary term is 18 months.

The committee also considered a permanent water-line easement and a 10-foot temporary construction easement requested by Murfreesboro Water Resources on Segal High School property adjacent to the widening. Engineering director Mike Hughes said the permanent easement would be about 5,882 square feet; the city proposed compensation of about $3,564 and the 10-foot construction easement about $1,182, for a combined figure near $4,746.65, but asked the county to waive the fee. Commissioner Dodd and other commissioners noted prior precedents where the county waived similar fees for roadway projects. A motion to approve the easement and waive the fee passed on roll call.

Both easements are tied to the state road project; staff said the temporary instruments expire after the construction window and any compensation approved would be captured in the final agreement. The approvals allow utility relocations needed to keep the Thompson Lane widening schedule on track.