After a year of construction, Cookeville’s estimated $3.1 million project to widen West Stevens Street is nearing completion.
City Manager James Mills said the project consists of additional upgrades, including the installation of a turn lane at the intersection with South Willow Avenue, sidewalks, and underground utilities. Mills said the newly improved street is set to be completed this week.
“Well, we’re happy to report that the project is at a substantial completion,” Mills said. “Final servicing was completed last Friday. Some temporary striping was placed on Monday. We look for final striping and clean up the rest of this week.”
Mills said West Stevens Street is one of the city’s key east-west routes and has needed improvements for years due to increasing traffic. Mills said the project’s completion represents a significant milestone for the city as it continues to invest in infrastructure to support growth.
“Yeah, I think it’s a very significant project,” Mills said. “Again, as I noted, how much traffic the street carries and this will enhance the ability to carry traffic through the city, and it’s also always fulfilling to have a project completed on time and within budget.”
Mills also said the city has more road projects already in the pipeline.
“Well, there are seven projects that we’re evaluating,” Mills said. “Of course, phase three of East 10th [Street], the design is underway for that. It should take approximately 12 months for the design to be completed. Then we’ll look at that and do cost estimates, but phase three of 10th Street is on the horizon. Of course, Henry Drive extension south of the Sam’s Club there, that’s under construction now. We hope to have that completed this summer.”
Mills said the city will continue evaluating additional road improvement projects as part of its upcoming fiscal year budget discussions.