Commissioners discuss Lee Highway congestion, TDOT funding limits and regional coordination

Collegedale City commissioners spent substantial time Jan. 6 discussing traffic congestion on Lee Highway, the effects when interstate incidents reroute traffic and the limited near-term options because of regional funding constraints.

Mayor Lloyd and Commissioner House described traffic backups that occur when GPS reroutes interstate traffic onto Lee Highway and nearby arterials. City staff told the commission that under normal conditions the Lee Highway intersection referenced in the meeting handles about 30,000–35,000 vehicle trips per day, near its practical capacity, and that when interstate detours occur the volume can rise toward 80,000 trips per day — far beyond the intersection’s capacity.

Staff said they have sought inclusion of Lee Highway widening on the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) long-term plan but that no funds are available in the current call for projects; through the regional planning process (RPA/TIP) the next opportunity to add projects will not arise for about four years. Staff attributed the delay in part to inflation and existing projects consuming available funds.

Commissioners and staff noted coordination with neighboring jurisdictions is required because traffic relief at one intersection without changes elsewhere (including Edgemont, Ooltewah and other parts of the corridor) will not resolve queueing problems. Staff invited commissioners to a Plan Hamilton meeting at the Highway 58 Training Center on Thursday, where some of these issues will be discussed with regional partners.

No formal action or new funding was approved at the meeting; the discussion was informational and staff said they will continue to pursue long-term project inclusion with TDOT and regional partners.