Rocky Hill residents have concerns about new road construction

Rocky Hill residents have concerns about new road construction

By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter

KNOXVILLE (WATE) -- Residents in a West Knox County neighborhood are upset about road construction in their area.

The project is on Nubbin Ridge Road. It's aimed at straightening a pair of sharp turns.

County crews were working hard Monday to get the construction complete, and they're almost finished.

However, residents have concerns.

"The concern here is that they have taken a road that's pretty dangerous, and (they) have actually increased the danger," said Mike Penland, who's lived on Nubbin Ridge Road for more than 20 years.

Six months ago, the construction started. According to residents, it was supposed to be complete at the beginning of October.

Although some of the sharp curves are gone, residents feel the new curve will be more even more dangerous and become a speedway.

Danger isn't the only concern. "I believe we will have more problems because I have a huge ditch in my yard I didn't have before," says Edward Payne.

He says they signed paperwork to allow construction, but never thought it would take up so much of his property. Payne says the construction has taken at least 15 feet from his front yard.

Residents are also worried about drainage in the area.

6 News contacted Bruce Weuthrich, with the Knox County Engineering Department. He wasn't  available to talk on camera, but says he's aware of residents' concerns.

Weuthrich says the improvements were to make the road safer, plus to help the progress of a planned subdivision being built there.

He says the county would never take property that didn't belong to it.

Still, "I do not feel the county has been up front with this," Payne says.

"We try to communicate with the county, but we can't get the county officials to come out here to talk with us," Penland adds.

After 6 News' interviews with residents, county officials set up a meeting with them on Friday.  They hope to discuss their concerns then.