Hendersonville working on long-term transportation plan to improve traffic flow

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Leaders in Hendersonville are finalizing a plan to help with traffic congestion throughout the city.

City officials met on Monday night to discuss ways to improve traffic and roadway safety through capital projects over the next decade-plus. 

Hendersonville has three goals with this first-of-its-kind, long-term transportation plan: decrease congestion, improve safety, and improve circulation.

“It is a proactive plan, rather than a reactive [one],” explained Alderman Eddie Roberson. 

A total of 36 traffic projects are part of the plan, each ranked on a variety of factors including city cost, safety, and “constructability.” The list’s top 10 includes projects on West Main Street, Old Shackle Road and Drakes Creek Road. 

“We are moving forward on these projects that I think cause the most congestion in the city, and fortunately, we do have some money available for that,” said Roberson. 

Cost and funding will ultimately play a big factor in which projects can or will move forward. Roberson said the city’s recent sales tax increase will play a large role in getting these traffic improvements approved, as will state funding. 

“I don’t want these projects that the staff has worked so hard on to just lay on the shelf, and for BOMA to just kick them down the road,” Roberson told News 2’s Sam Chimenti. 

Roberson preached being aggressive in improving traffic congestion. But to what degree? Could seizing private land for public use— known as eminent domain—be utilized by Hendersonville? 

“I look at that issue with kind of a very suspicious eye. I want to be very careful before government takes this step. But, it is necessary at times,” answered the alderman. “We have several tools in our toolbox that we can use. But the main thing is to begin the process, is to start improving traffic flow in Hendersonville.”

While this is a long-term transportation plan, Alderman Roberson shared one pivotal traffic change that is coming in the short-term.

“The biggest improvement will be seen with the traffic light synchronization. Citizens going through the city will be able to navigate through the city much easier than before [by the end of this year].” 

The final step in getting this transportation plan off the ground is approval from Hendersonville’s Board of Mayor and Alderman. They are slated to meet again on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to discuss and vote on the traffic plan.

Roberson expects the plan to be approved, following the Capital Projects Committee unanimously greenlighting it on Monday.

“This is not a quick fix. But we need to have an eye for improvement and to press forward,” concluded Roberson.