JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
A proposal to add new streetlights within Whitwell on both sides of Highway 28 was brought up during the town’s recent city meeting.
Tracy Steele, owner of the popular Landing Zone Grill restaurant, stated his concerns to the Board of Mayor & Commissioners in Whitwell regarding the lack of streetlights on both sides of Highway 28, between both the restaurant and nearby BP gas station. He explained his worries in the past on multiple occasions, with him stating that the lack of artificial lighting beside the road causes a potential safety hazard for both drivers and pedestrians. His hopes were that the board would take action to resolve the issue by working with Sequatchie Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) to provide normal or solar powered lighting to the stretch of roadway.
“I’d just like to see this committee bring this into some kind of resolution, or move forward and just say that we’re not going to do it,” said Steele.
Commissioner David Hudson stated two options that the city can choose from regarding lighting for the section of roadway: to either have SVEC install new lampposts altogether or to privately purchase and install new solar powered lights at the side of the highway. The latter option was mentioned to be more cost effective, but would be dependent upon state regulations, and if the state would allow it altogether. However, Tracy explained that SVEC already has a utility right-of-way in allowance to place streetlamps beside Highway 28 outside the heart of the community.
City Manager Lonnie Cleek mentioned how the city has already contacted the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), with officials from TDOT speaking with SVEC engineers as to the regulations and requirements for street lights to be placed beside Highway 28. The process to request a quote for the streetlights is also in the works, with all involved ultimately looking to find the right person for the job before work can officially begin.