By-Passing TDOT: Was the Proper Procedure Even Followed?

When designing and approving major projects like the Durham Farms / Drakes Creek Roundabout, strict procedures must be followed to ensure the project aligns with state regulations, safety standards, and local needs. This process involves oversight by the TDOT (Tennessee Department of Transportation), multiple studies, and public transparency in Tennessee. But the question remains—were these steps even followed?

1. Feasibility Study—Where Are the Documents?

Before moving forward with any roundabout, a feasibility study must assess whether a roundabout is the best solution for the intersection. This involves evaluating traffic volume, crash data, and the physical characteristics of the location.
Where is the feasibility study? We haven’t seen any publicly shared documents showing this was done. Without this critical step, it’s unclear if the roundabout is even necessary.

2. Engineering Study—Has it Been Presented?

If the feasibility study supports a roundabout, an engineering study must be conducted. This includes:

  • Traffic Analysis: Where is the evidence of a detailed analysis that accounts for projected growth and current traffic patterns?

  • Geometric Design: Was the 160-foot roundabout’s design made to fit our unique, low-traffic area, or was it designed for somewhere else?

  • Safety Considerations: Has there been a legitimate analysis of whether the roundabout improves safety, or are these just general claims?

If these studies exist, why haven’t they been shared with the public? How are residents supposed to trust the process if the very data that justifies this massive disruption isn’t being made available?

3. Skirting TDOT’s Oversight?

Typically, TDOT reviews and approves major road changes to ensure compliance with state laws and best practices. So why does it feel like TDOT’s guidelines—especially regarding minimizing right-of-way acquisition and environmental impact—have been ignored? Where are the documents showing TDOT’s approval?

4. Missing Documents—Where Is the Warrant Study?

According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), a roundabout should be backed by a warrant study that justifies its need. To date, no such study has been made public. Without a warrant study, the roundabout’s necessity remains speculative.
Why has there been no transparency on this? Was the proper study even conducted?

Time for Accountability—Where Are the Documents?

Residents deserve to know whether proper procedures were followed, and if not, why not? This isn’t just about inconvenience or aesthetics; it’s about trust in our government and whether or not they are following the law. If officials have taken shortcuts, the community has every right to demand a stop to the project and call for a full review.

Questions Looking to be Answered:

  • Where is the feasibility study?

  • Where is the engineering study showing a need for such a large roundabout conducted by someone other than the ones who created this in the first place for Durham Farms?

  • Was there any environmental impact study for building in a FEMA flood zone?

  • Has TDOT officially approved this project?

  • Was a warrant study conducted? If so, where is it?

It’s time we, as a community, demand answers. If these documents exist, release them. If they don’t, why should this project move forward?