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Committee reviews Imperial Blvd–Rockland Rd roundabout study and Drake Creek condemnation update
Summary
Staff presented a consultant study recommending a roundabout at Imperial Boulevard and Rockland Road (right-of-way dedication offered by Wawa but no monetary contribution), and updated the committee that a condemnation petition for Drake Creek/Stop 30 has been published with a 30-day claim period and environmental permitting pending with the Army Corps and TDEC.
The Public Works Committee reviewed conceptual plans for a proposed roundabout at Imperial Boulevard and Rockland Road and received an update on the Drake Creek–Stop 30 intersection project during the May 26 meeting.
An Agency official said the study by Veil Shafer recommends a roundabout; the developer of the nearby Wawa site has pledged the needed right of way but will not contribute cash toward construction. “They did dedicate the right of way necessary to build the roundabout,” the Agency official said, and staff noted the dedication will permit construction to proceed without a property purchase if the city accepts the deed documents later in the process.
Committee members asked about traffic backup and truck turning. The consultant explained the concept used a conservative 200-foot inner inscribed diameter to accommodate large trucks but said the design will likely be reduced to accommodate typical fire trucks rather than highway-semi maneuvers. Staff said traffic-signal phasing and adaptive timing would be monitored after construction to address any backup.
On Drake Creek and Stop 30, staff reported a petition for condemnation has been published and the 30-day claim period after the last publication will need to expire before possession can occur; staff estimated that period would conclude around July 13 if no claims are filed. Environmental permitting and securing mitigation credits with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation remain the critical path before the project can go out to bid.
Staff said the roundabout project is included in the regional Transportation Improvement Program and is funding-dependent; if selected in the current TIP cycle, construction could fall within the next four to five years. Committee members raised concerns about post office driveway access and suggested staff engage property owners during detailed design.
