MURFREESBORO, TN - The Murfreesboro City Council, on Thursday, April 11, 2024, voted to approve a professional services contract worth $413,500 with Kimley Horn, Inc. The contract will facilitate necessary enhancements to the Burnt Knob/Manson Pike/Blackman Rd. intersection.

Chris Griffith, Public Infrastructure Executive Director, highlighted the significance of these improvements due to the ongoing growth and increased traffic on the west side of I-24. Additionally, the construction of a new County elementary school near the Baker Road and Blackman Road intersection necessitates roadway enhancements to boost capacity and improve traffic flow, thereby easing congestion. The proposed widening improvements entail the addition of through and turning lanes leading to a signalized intersection, incorporating pedestrian features.

“With continued growth and traffic volumes on the west side of I-24 and the construction of a new County elementary school near the intersection of Baker Road and Blackman Road, improvements to these roadways will increase capacity and help traffic flow to alleviate congestion,” said Public Infrastructure Executive Director Chris Griffith. (Scroll down for Aerial view of Burnt Knob, Manson Pike, Blackman Road Intersection)

Kimley Horn, Inc. will spearhead the development of preliminary and final design plans to widen the intersection. The funding for this professional services contract, covering design and right-of-way, will be sourced from reallocated FY21 CIP bond and loan proceeds originally allocated for Butler Drive.

A recent traffic impact study commissioned by the Rutherford County School Board and shared with the City highlighted potential "unacceptable delays" at the intersection with the impending construction of two new Rutherford County schools in the vicinity. The County plans to open a new elementary school by August 2025 and a new middle school in the near future on the north side of Baker Road near Blackman Road.

The professional services contract between the City and Kimley Horn Inc. encompasses various services, including Project Management, Existing Conditions Survey, Traffic Study Review, Environmental Studies, Right-of-Way Design Services & Acquisition Services, Final Design Services, Environmental Permitting, Utility Coordination, and Bid Phase Services. The City expects the intersection design work to conclude by fall 2024, with construction anticipated to commence in 2025.