BY ZACH THOMAS

MURFREESBORO – The City of Murfreesboro is moving forward with the Butler Drive realignment. This after the city council voted unanimously last week to approved two motions. This is for both the zoning and annexation of over 14 acres on Butler Drive along the west side of I-24, north of Joe B. Jackson Highway.

The Planning Commission conducted public hearings on these matters and then voted to recommend their approval to the City Council back in May.

Matthew Blomeley, the Assistant Planning Director, believes all construction is on track to be finished in early 2025.

The initial petitions of annexation were proposed by Eric Dill of Dill Property Holdings, LLC, which owns the land. Just over 8-and-a-half acres of the over 14 have been requested to be zoned Light Industrial District simultaneous with annexation.

The City Council also approved a change order brought by Chris Griffith, the Executive Director of Public Infrastructure. Since the original construction contract approval, additional drainage facilities have been deemed necessary by Moody Excavating.

The original Butler Drive Realignment Project realigned Butler Drive with Joe B. Jackson Highway roughly nine-tenths of a mile westward, including a three-lane, curb and gutter section with sidewalks on both sides.

The project has been expedited by the installation of the anticipated opening of the Murfreesboro Buc-ees, which will span over 76-thousand square feet and have 120 fuel pumps as well as electric charging stations.

The Murfreesboro Buc-ee's will be Tennessee’s third location, with others in both Crossville and Sevierville. Plans for a location in Clarksville lost steam and dissipated with the threat of traffic issues.