• About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Classifieds
    • Jobs
  • Obituaries




Traffic light study under way, new plans could be implemented this year

Posted at 5:18 pm January 3, 2016
By John Huotari 2 Comments

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer and Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer presents a signal optimization grant check to former Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller. (File photo from September 2014 courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

A traffic light timing study is under way, and new plans could be implemented early this year, city officials said in December.

Oak Ridge Today asked about the signal timing project during a December interview with Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs and Jon van Eek, power utilization program supervisor in the Oak Ridge Electric Department. That interview focused on radar-based traffic detectors at six intersections in Oak Ridge.

The City of Oak Ridge announced in September 2014 that it had been awarded a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant for $237,500 for a signal timing optimization project.

Suggs and van Eek said the timing study is under way, and they hope to have new plans implemented after January 1, 2016. The plan is to move the maximum number of cars in all directions and to move the maximum number of vehicles, Suggs said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: air emissions, City Council, City of Oak Ridge, Climate Action Plan, CMAQ, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, Environmental Quality Advisory Board, greenhouse gas emissions, Jack Suggs, Jon van Eek, Oak Ridge Electric Department, signal timing, signal timing optimization, Steve Byrd, TDOT, Tennessee Department of Transportation, traffic congestion, traffic light study, traffic light timing, traffic patterns

Cinder, public works director, to retire Sept. 4

Posted at 11:04 pm June 16, 2015
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Gary Cinder

Gary Cinder

Gary Cinder, who has been Oak Ridge public works director for 24 years and interim city manager twice, is retiring September 4.

Cinder has been in public service for 33 years. He could go to work in the private sector, possibly as a consultant.

“It’s time to try something new, something different,” Cinder told Oak Ridge City Council members on Tuesday.

Cinder was the lead staff member on locating, designing, and building the Oak Ridge Central Services Complex on Woodbury Lane. That building is used by the Oak Ridge Public Works Department, Oak Ridge Electric Department, and the school bus maintenance facility, among others.

Cinder has led a major effort to ensure that Oak Ridge complies with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency order that requires the city to repair all sewer system overflows by September 28. That work is mostly complete, and the city is in good shape, Cinder said. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, Government, Oak Ridge, Top Stories Tagged With: Central Service Complex, city manager, Gary Cinder, infrastructure, Jim O'Connor, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Public Works Department, Roger Flynn, sewer system, Steve Byrd, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

TDOT presents $237,500 signal timing grant to Oak Ridge

Posted at 3:01 pm September 17, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer presents a signal optimization grant check to Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

TDOT Commissioner John Schroer presents a signal optimization grant check to Oak Ridge Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller. (Photo courtesy City of Oak Ridge)

 

Grant for signal optimization

The City of Oak Ridge has been awarded a Tennessee Department of Transportation grant for $237,500 for a signal timing optimization project, and TDOT Commissioner John Schroer recently presented the award to Mayor Pro Tem Jane Miller in Nashville.

The signal timing optimization grant is funded by the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, or CMAQ, which supports transportation projects that reduce air emissions from on-road sources and non-road sources, as well as projects that reduce traffic congestion, a press release said.

“The city is pleased to receive this grant which will significantly enhance air quality and reduce congested roadways,” Oak Ridge City Engineer Steve Byrd said in the press release.

The signal timing optimization project will target 26 traffic signals on Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge Turnpike, and Lafayette Drive. The program will synchronize these lights in order to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion and vehicle idling, and decrease commuter travel time. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Oak Ridge, State, Top Stories Tagged With: air emissions, CAP, City Council, City of Oak Ridge, Climate Action Plan, CMAQ, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, Environmental Quality Advisory Board, EQAB, greenhouse gas emissions, Illinois Avenue, Jane Miller, John Schroer, Lafayette Drive, Oak Ridge Turnpike, signal timing, signal timing optimization, Steve Byrd, TDOT, Tennessee Department of Transportation, traffic congestion, traffic flow, transportation, travel time, vehicle idling

Council considers Clark Center Park, ORHS stoplight, Woodland development

Posted at 9:13 am August 11, 2014
By John Huotari 2 Comments

Clark Center Park Water View

A view of Melton Hill Lake near a boat ramp and between two picnic areas at Clark Center Park in south Oak Ridge.

The Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night will consider the start of negotiations over the future of Clark Center Park, a new stoplight on Oak Ridge Turnpike in front of the high school, and changes, including rezonings, that could allow a small commercial development near Aldi grocery on South Illinois Avenue.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. Monday, August 11, in the Oak Ridge Municipal Building Courtroom. See the agenda here.

A resolution to be considered tonight would allow Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson to discuss the future of Clark Center Park with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge Office. DOE-ORO  has said it wants to transfer the park to the city at no cost as long as it remains a recreational park asset for the public.

The Oak Ridge Office now spends about $300,000 per year to maintain the park. One of the questions for city officials is whether Oak Ridge can afford to take over the 80-acre park, which is in south Oak Ridge on Melton Hill Lake. Also known as Carbide Park, it includes two ball fields, two large picnic areas, a small playground, a boat ramp, restrooms, fishing trails, and a beach. It also includes access to the Gallaher Bend Greenway. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Business, Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge, Slider, Top Stories Tagged With: Aldi, Carbide Park, Clark Center Park, commercial development, DOE, DOE-ORO, Mark Watson, Melton hill lake, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Office, Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge Turnpike, rezoning, South Illinois Avenue, Steve Byrd, stoplight, Traffic Safety Advisory Board, traffic signal, TSAB, U.S. Department of Energy

Council approves stoplight project at SR 95, Bethel Valley Road

Posted at 5:03 pm April 13, 2014
By John Huotari 6 Comments

Highway 95 and Bethel Valley Road Stoplight

Note: This story was updated at 11:30 p.m. March 14.

Hoping to improve safety, state officials plan to install a stoplight west of Oak Ridge National Laboratory at the intersection of State Route 95 and Bethel Valley Road.

The stoplight and other geometric improvements have been endorsed by Johnny O. Moore, U.S. Department of Energy manager at the ORNL Site Office.

“This intersection poses safety problems for the general public, as well as employees of ORNL, and these proposed improvements would be greatly appreciated,” Moore said in a Feb. 6 letter to Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson.

The project could cost $200,000. The Tennessee Department of Transportation would fund it through the Federal Highway Administration Highway Safety Project. Oak Ridge City Engineer Steve Byrd said this type of project qualifies for 100 percent federal funding.

On Monday, the Oak Ridge City Council approved an agreement that would make the city responsible for maintenance after the stoplight is built. The annual maintenance cost for the city is expected to be about $1,500. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Government, Government, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Slider, State, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Bethel Valley Road, Federal Highway Administration Highway Safety Project, intersection, Johnny O. Moore, Mark Watson, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, ORNL, ORNL Site Office, SR 95, State Route 95, Steve Byrd, stoplight, TDOT, Tennessee Department of Transportation, traffic control devices, traffic signal, U.S. Department of Energy

Council considers Weigel’s rezoning tonight

Posted at 4:00 am September 10, 2012
By John Huotari 4 Comments

Weigels Rezoning

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider a rezoning for a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue during a meeting at 7 p.m. today.

The Oak Ridge City Council will consider a property rezoning tonight that could allow a Weigel’s on South Illinois Avenue.

The rezoning would allow the proposed gas station and convenience store on a 1.5-acre parcel south of TNBank. The 3,900-square-foot store could open by 2013.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Government Tagged With: Chris Ooten, Oak Ridge City Council, Oak Ridge Municipal Planning Commission, rezoning, Steve Byrd, Weigel's

Search Oak Ridge Today

Tweets from https://twitter.com/johnhuotari/lists/oak-ridge-news-on-twitter

Jobs

City of Oak Ridge Job Opening: Electric Line Technician Trainee

The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for Electric Line Technician … [Read More...]

City of Oak Ridge Job Opening: Senior Planner or Planner

The City of Oak Ridge is currently accepting applications for Senior Planner or Planner (dependent … [Read More...]

Recent Comments

  • johnhuotari on Man charged with homicide in crash that killed 3-year-old boy
  • johnhuotari on Council to discuss Rails to Trails, school resource officer program
  • johnhuotari on Officer injured, children taken to hospital after fugitive flees from police
  • johnhuotari on Demolition starts at Applewood Apartments
  • johnhuotari on Mental health evaluation ordered for man charged with terrorism
  • Gary Love on Two Oak Ridge candidates qualify to run for Roane County Commission
  • Kathy Holland on Council to discuss Rails to Trails, school resource officer program
  • Levi D. Smith on Veteran challenging Fleischmann in Republican primary
  • Philip W Nipper on Mental health evaluation ordered for man charged with terrorism
  • Angi Agle on Officer injured, children taken to hospital after fugitive flees from police

Recent Posts

  • Run on Saturday will support autism organization
  • Tennis: District match results
  • Big Ed’s Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Community Mediation Services
  • Anderson County Democrats have candidate forum Thursday
  • UT MBA team to present Rails to Trails study findings
  • Retired pilot, former Democratic Party chair running for Tennessee House
  • UT Arboretum Society has plant sale this weekend
  • Ebony Capshaw running for Anderson County trustee
  • Lynch names Bradshaw as campaign treasurer
  • Cole names Stephen McNally as treasurer

Archives

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2018 Oak Ridge Today