State Works to Change Casey Jones Intersection
JACKSON, Tenn.–Businesses in Jackson want a busy intersection fixed. Tennessee Transportation Commissioner John Schroer visited Jackson on Tuesday to update leaders on the progress. “It’s been a real safety hazard and I think the state and the city recognize that and want to do something about it,” said Clark Shaw, CEO of the Old Country Store. Shaw says the current set-up at Carriage House Drive and the Highway 45 Bypass causes accidents and hurts his business. “It’s easy to get in, but it’s impossible nearly to get out,” Shaw said. Schroer says they are working on a design that will fix the problem. The Tennessee Department of Transportation plans to widen the road and make it easier to get on and off Interstate 40. “Funding hasn’t been, for construction, hasn’t been done yet, but we’ve got to get the redesign and get the right-of-way purchased first,” said Schroer. The commissioner updated city and state leaders Tuesday on the progress,” said Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson. “It’s on the approved list to improve that to straighten it out,” . TDOT could not say specifically when construction will start. Shaw hopes it is sooner rather than later. “This was 15 years this has been in the works,” said Shaw. TDOT says they do not have funding for the construction yet. That goes up for consideration next year. Workers cannot start construction until the funds are approved.
