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State adds $15 million to Mack Hatcher widening; Franklin praised for local match
Summary
State Rep. Lee Reeves told the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen that TDOT has pledged an additional $15 million to the SR‑397/Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway widening project, raising the state's commitment from $25 million to $40 million and marking what Reeves called “significant progress” for the corridor.
State Representative Lee Reeves announced at the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting on May 12 that the Tennessee Department of Transportation has committed an additional $15,000,000 to the SR‑397/Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway widening project, increasing the state’s prior pledge from $25,000,000 to $40,000,000.
"I am pleased to announce an additional $15,000,000 in support of SR‑397 Maxey Hatcher Memorial Parkway widening project," Reeves told the board, saying the corridor affects commuters, businesses and the quality of life of "thousands of Franklin residents." He credited local leaders for pursuing federal and state participation and thanked the city for offering matching funds.
Reeves noted the project has been under discussion for several years and described meetings earlier this year that included Mayor Ken Moore, city staff and TDOT officials. He said the increased state commitment is "significant progress for Franklin" but cautioned there is still more work to do to secure remaining funding and complete design and permitting.
Mayor Ken Moore accepted Reeves’ announcement and displayed a copy of the commissioner’s letter for the board.
Why it matters: The additional state funding reduces the remaining gap to complete a corridor project that city and state speakers described as among the largest local infrastructure investments in the area. City staff and elected officials signaled they will continue coordinating with TDOT and the state to secure any remaining federal matches, permits and right‑of‑way work.
What remains unresolved: Reeves and the board did not specify a final project budget or an exact construction schedule at the meeting. The board and staff said further steps including design, right‑of‑way acquisition and coordination on federal matching funds remain. The meeting transcript records Reeves’ announcement and the state commitment; specific local dollar amounts referenced in the remarks were unclear in one line of the transcript and were not further clarified at the meeting.
