Interest in the Corridor K project is high, as shown by last week’s public hearings on the options for an alternate route. Nearly 500 people signed in, with around 170 at the Benton sessions and more than 300 at the Copperhill meeting. More than 100 comment cards were turned in at the Copperhill meeting and 51 people gave oral comments to the court reporter. At the Benton session, there were 42 written comments and 32 oral comments.

Some of those in attendance voiced disappointment that there was no formal presentation. There were displays on the history of the project and possible alternatives, with officials from Tennessee Department of Transportation, the consultant working on the project, and the Community Resource Team on hand to answer questions.

At this point, ten options have been analyzed. TDOT started over after a 2003 Draft Environmental Impact Statement with a $2 billion price was unpopular, although some opposition groups continue to criticize plans for a four-lane highway through the mountains. No decision has been made on whether to recommend a four-lane highway or a two-lane highway with passing lanes. In addition to no-build, two options involve the current route, two would go south of the Ocoee River, three would go on the mountain north of the river, and two would include parts of the current road.

There was a lot of interest shown in the last two options analyzed – 8 and 8a – which use the existing highway at each end and bypass the gorge by going on the mountain. Many rejected the idea of rebuilding the current highway because of the 6-8 year road closure that would be needed to bring it up to standards.

The deadline for comments on this phase of the project is March 10. Comments can be mailed to Tennessee Department of Transportation; Project comments; 505 Deaderick St., Suite 700, James K. Polk Building; Nashville TN 37243-0332. Information is available and comments can be made online in the public involvement section of www.tdot.state.tn.us/corridork

A briefing was held Wednesday for members of the Economic/Environment/Utility task force, although many were unable to attend because of a wreck that closed Hwy. 68, the major alternate route because of the rockslide. Wes Hughen, project manager for TDOT, previewed the options and there was a report on the Wildlife Linkages meeting held late last year.

Numerous state and federal agencies attended the wildlife linkages meeting and provided information about plants and animals in the project area. Plans call for a wildlife habitat linkage assessment to be included in planning options for a new highway. The idea is to plan placement of highway crossing structures to serve wildlife. The Cherokee National forest is prime black bear habitat and is also home to many other species of wildlife, fish and plants, including a large number of fish species.

Highways can affect wildlife by stranding wildlife on each side of the highway, mortality due to collisions, loss of habitat, displacement and human activities associated with highways. A variety of structures, such as culverts, box culverts, arches, open-span bridges, or wildlife overpasses can be used to mitigate the damage. The wildlife habitat linkage report will be included in the Corridor K Transportation Planning Report (TPR).

TDOT hopes to have the TPR completed by the end of March. Hughen said it will include several options for further analysis, including the no-build option, which is required. Following formal determination whether to continue, the next step will be the Draft Environmental Impact Statement which will include detailed analysis of the options to be studied. Hughen said he hoped the work done on the TPR, including involvement by various resource teams, will speed up the next phase of the project. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement is projected to be completed in July 2012, with the final statement a year later. There will be opportunities for public comments during this process.

Hughen said public input is an important part of the process. He said it boils down to positive impacts of a new road versus negative impacts. Keith Dilbeck said many people have favored improvements to the existing highway but they are not aware this would required closing the road for years during construction. Hughen said that option would tremendously change the character of the Ocoee gorge. The option for spot improvements includes a tunnel and would involve some closures. Federal funds are not available for this option.

For options 8 and 8a, the analysis only included a two-lane bypass of the gorge, although some have suggested looking at four lanes for the highway leading up to the bypass.