Stringer's Ridge adds challenge to U.S. 27 work

[CMF Newsman]

When roadwork to widen U.S. Highway 27 between the Olgiati Bridge and the Signal Mountain exit is done, the new stretch could be dubbed the "hundred-million-dollar" mile.

The 1.6-mile passage through narrow breaks in the folds of Stringer's Ridge is budgeted to cost $102.5 million and probably will go over that budget, according to Ken Flynn, the regional construction manager for the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Because the now four-lane road is in a valley between unstable hills lined with condos, widening it to six lanes and adding adequate acceleration and deceleration space for three sets of on- and off-ramps means moving up the ridge on both sides.

"It's a big challenge," said Flynn. "There's a lot going on in not a lot of space. And there are complications."

www.timesfreepress.com/news/2012/feb/25/steep-complications-us-highway-27/

[Warkitty]

*sigh*

I am not a fan

[Bryan Stone]

budgeted to cost $102.5 million and probably will go over that budget

glad to see they have a budget that they have no intention of following

[Kordax]

I thought sacred Civil War soldiers walked around on Stringers Ridge & that hyped up slice of curious history is one of the main reasons why a part of the ridge very near the I-27 current construction site couldn't possibly be developed by a private developer? What happened to allow for the crass roadway expansion through sacred ground?

[Tsavodiner]

How would you like to have bought one of those six-figure condos on the hill, only to have the trees stripped out and told they're going to scrape away the hillside and build you a 'wall'?

[Bryan Stone]

How would you like to have bought one of those six-figure condos on the hill

yeah, I really feel bad for them. I'm sure their quality of life has diminished greatly.

[Tsavodiner]

envy's an ugly thing; you've got a nice little view from your lee-o'-the-ridge home

[ssmynkint]

envy's an ugly thing

Gee, didn't you post about your envy in another thread?
Hmm.