State Route 93

History and Background

The original scope for improving five separate locations along SR 93 has been condensed into three sections, which will be developed separately. Locations 1 & 2 were combined. Location 3 is stand-alone. Locations 4 & 5 were combined.

Section 1 (Fall Branch Area) – Citizens in the Fall Branch community are concerned with safety near Fall Branch Elementary School, which has through-traffic mixed with local traffic. Peak traffic hours occur between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. and between 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., accommodating school buses and other mixed traffic. Improvements include two 12-foot travel lanes with a continuous 12-foot turn lane. Five-foot sidewalks and handicap ramps were constructed at intersections within this section.

Section 2 (Horse Creek Area) – This area is of major concern due to the narrow roadway and deficient shoulders that has a cliff on one side and a creek with a steep bank on the other side. Improvements realigned SR 93 to improve sight distance and provided two 12-foot lanes with 6-foot shoulders within this section.

Section 3 (Industrial Access Area) – The industrial area at the beginning of this section presents safety concerns due to slow-moving equipment that crosses the road between two buildings that are owned by the same business. Additionally, large trucks pull in and out of the businesses. Proposed improvements would include construction of two 12-foot lanes with a 12-foot center turn lane in the industrial area. The remainder of this section would have improved sight distance and two 12-foot lanes and 6-foot shoulders.

Improvement Options Map

Public Involvement and Engagement

·       Right-of-Way Meeting – May 17, 2016

·       Public Design Meeting – May 22, 2014

·       Public Informational Meeting – April 18, 2013

Environment

All Environmental Studies for all sections of this project were completed in the Spring of 2015.

In July 2009, TDOT historians performed a preliminary scoping. Fall Branch Elementary School was cited as potentially eligible for the National Register for Historic Properties (NHRP). Several structures in Fall Branch on or adjacent to SR 93 also need to be surveyed for individual eligibility. In Sullivan County, the historians noted at least five structures that need to be surveyed along the existing corridor.

Key Project Milestones

Improvements to SR 93, between I-81 and SR 347 (Lone Star Road), consist of three sections.