Committee backs Veterans Boulevard extension, authorizes mayor to sign TDOT contract

Jeff Mize, a representative of engineering firm CDM Smith, briefed Sevier County officials on a TDOT plan to extend SR-449 (Veterans Boulevard) from its current terminus on Dolly Parton Parkway to SR-66 at the Doug Bishop Bridge, with a longer-term connection planned to a proposed I‑40 Exit 408.

Mize described the proposal as a multi-stage project; committee members discussed the possibility of applying for federal grants to help TDOT complete the final stage. The transcript records that the county intends to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to cover the county's share of the Veterans Boulevard extension project.

Mayor Larry Waters presented Resolution 2023-06-21 to authorize the County Mayor to execute a contract with the Tennessee Department of Transportation concerning the SR-449 extension. Commissioner Gary Cole moved to approve the resolution, Commissioner Bryan Delius seconded, and the meeting record states the motion passed unanimously.

The committee did not record a specific dollar figure for the county contribution or a timeline for the federal grant applications in the meeting minutes. Officials indicated the county will pursue available grant funding and use ARPA funds for its portion of the project.

Next steps described in the record include moving forward with the contract authorization for the county mayor and exploring federal grant opportunities to offset construction costs. The transcript does not provide a construction schedule or the precise county contribution amount.