Bypass construction could begin in October

Construction on the long-discussed, long-awaited northeast bypass around Shelbyville could begin as soon as October, State Rep. Curt Cobb said on Saturday.

"We're pretty excited," Cobb told the Times-Gazette.

Cobb also said bids on the first phase of widening North Main Street will be opened Feb. 15; a request for bids was issued on Friday.

Cobb said the bypass will be included in the state's three-year plan and that construction could begin in October, as soon as the federal fiscal year begins, barring unforseen problems. Cobb said he and State Sen. Jim Tracy met with Gov. Phil Bredesen and with Transportation Commissioner Gerald Nicely to discuss the project.

Cobb said the overpass which will allow the bypass to cross the Walking Horse & Eastern spur line railroad had been one of the last remaining obstacles to beginning work on the project.

The bypass, which will run from U.S. 231 north of Shelbyville to U.S. 41-A east of Shelbyville, will be built in three phases over three years, said Cobb.

The first phase of the North Main project will be widening the highway as it goes through the busy intersection with Colloredo Boulevard and Fairfield Pike. This phase of the project will run from Cedar Street, south of Colloredo, to Chockley Street, north of Colloredo, according to Cobb.