State Route 1 (US 70, Summer Avenue)

History and Background

The proposed project is 1.87 miles in length and will consist of six 11-ft. travel lanes (3 in each direction), a 12-ft. center two-way left turn lane, and two 4-ft. bike lanes with a 3-ft. buffer along with curb and gutter in both directions, all within 116 feet of right-of-way (ROW). SR 1 pavement will be milled and overlaid from White Station Rd. to the beginning of the project near the I-40 ramp to re-stripe the roadway to carry the proposed bike lane to White Station Rd. The project will also replace the bridges over Wolf River and Fletcher Creek. The bridge over Wolf River will include a 12-ft. multi-use path to coincide with improvements to be constructed as part of the Wolf River Greenway. The improvements will include dual left turn lanes at the intersection of Bartlett Rd. and the intersection of Sycamore View Rd. Roadway lighting is proposed along the route and upgraded signals will be constructed along SR 1 at the intersections of White Station Rd., Bartlett Rd./Shelby Oaks Dr. and Sycamore View Rd.

TDOT first identified the need to widen SR 1 from I-40 to Elmore Road as part of the Accelerated Primary Highway Plan that accompanied the gasoline tax increase passed by the 94th General Assembly in 1986. Background data on the project indicated an insufficient level of service for the facility. An Advanced Planning Report was developed and approved in 1997 and addressed improvements needed to the facility to increase the level of service. Survey and design began immediately, and an Environmental Assessment (EA) was approved on March 9, 1998. A public hearing was held in May 1998 to give the public an opportunity to review and comment on the proposed project. Based on the EA, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) approved a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on May 10, 1999. The project was authorized to proceed to the right-of-way (ROW) phase in August 1999, and ROW acquisition began in early 2000.

TDOT identified this project as a candidate for the Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) program, aimed at identifying and recommending improvement options that are feasible, cost effective and provide improved safety and mobility. In 2014, TDOT placed the project on hold to conduct an EPD review. In late 2016, the EPD review was completed for the project. As mentioned above, for construction purposes the project was separated into two sections: from I-40 to 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road and from 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road to 0.1 mile north of Elmore Road. The EPD review addressed both sections of the project. The approved EPD recommendation was to proceed with the original proposed seven-lane curb and gutter typical section.

A reevaluation of the EA/FONSI with a focus on the section of SR-1 from I-40 (east of Macon Road) to 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road was approved by FHWA on July 21, 2021. Another reevaluation was performed and approved on May 4, 2022.

The overall project is listed in the Memphis MPO’s Livability 2050: Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), adopted September 12, 2019. The first segment, from I-40 to 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road, is identified in the RTP for horizon year 2021-2025. The second segment, from 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road to 0.1 mile north of Elmore Road, is identified for horizon year 2026-2030.  The first segment is currently in TDOT’s Three-Year Plan and is scheduled for construction in Fiscal Year 2025.

Public Involvement and Engagement

Upon approval of the Environmental Assessment (EA) on March 9, 1998, a public hearing was held as a part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental review process to present the EA to the public and solicit input. The hearing was held on May 12, 1998, in the Shelby Oaks Elementary School Cafeteria, at 6053 Summer Avenue in the project area. As noted in the FONSI, there were 54 public attendees and 17 individuals provided comments. Most of the comments offered no clear support or opposition to the project; rather, the comments were directed to personal issues related to impacted properties. Two individuals stated their support for the project and one person expressed opposition to the project. 

A right-of-way (ROW) meeting was held on November 16, 1999, in the Shelby Oaks Elementary School Cafeteria, at 6053 Summer Avenue.  The purpose of this meeting was to provide information to the affected property owners concerning the ROW acquisition process, explain the project plans, and to answer questions about the project and ROW acquisition process.

Project Imagery & Visuals

Google Earth Map of Project Corridor

Environment

An Environmental Assessment (EA) was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on March 9, 1998. Based on the EA, FHWA approved a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on May 10, 1999.

A reevaluation of the EA/FONSI with a focus on the section of SR 1 from I-40 to 0.1 mile north of Sycamore View Road was approved by FHWA on July 21, 2021. Another reevaluation was performed and approved on May 4, 2022.

Key Project Milestones

Project Materials

Advanced Planning Report

Public Hearing Transcript

Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

FONSI Reevaluation (June 2021)

FONSI Reevaluation (May 2022)