After strong public opposition, Blount County workshop forwards $5 million for Pellissippi Parkway right-of-way

Blount County commissioners voted to forward a proposal to use local funds for right-of-way acquisition for the Pellissippi Parkway extension, a move that prompted multiple public speakers to urge rejection.

Resolution 267002 was read as a $5,000,000 budget increase to enter into an agreement with the Tennessee Department of Transportation for right-of-way acquisition. Public commenters said the county had been assured local tax dollars would not be used and warned the county would be asked for additional money over time.

Elan Lloyd told the commission that "TDOT's backlog is currently $58,000,000,000," and warned that $11,000,000 would not be the last ask. Angela Montoya called using local tax dollars for the project "completely unacceptable," and Nina Gregg, who said she has reviewed the applicable traffic studies, argued the extension would not improve congestion on key local corridors.

Commissioners discussed the item briefly; no amendment was adopted at the workshop. The resolution was moved forward to the full commission with a favorable recommendation by the budget committee and passed at the workshop by a recorded vote of 11 yes and 5 no. The workshop action refers the item to the full commission for final approval and any conditions or additional documentation commissioners may require.

Next steps: the full commission will consider Resolution 267002 at its next scheduled meeting; commissioners and staff signaled they may seek additional contract clarifications and assurances about how local funds and donated land are treated if the project does not proceed.