By Ben Lawson
ben@seymourherald.com
Safety concerns were cited by the state as the reason a new traffic light was installed at the Boyd’s Creek and Old Sevierville Pike intersection over the one at Pitner Road.
According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation, an investigation determined that the Old Sevierville Pike intersection met the requirements for state funding.  The Pitner Road intersection was not reviewed.
Parents and school officials remain divided over whether a Pitner traffic light would alleviate or hinder after school traffic.  County commissioners have said their hands are tied on the matter, citing TDOT’s jurisdiction over the highway.
According to Commissioner Jim Keener, 10th District, he called for an inquiry into Boyd’s Creek expansion, but the state claimed it had held public hearings and gotten no response from the community.
“We are not aware of any meetings regarding State Route 338,” said B.J. Doughty, Community Relations Officer with TDOT.
She indicated that Seymour projects are prioritized by the East Tennessee South Rural Planning Organization (RPO) process, which allows for involvement by local officials and the public in TDOT’s transportation planning.
If and when any more work will be done to Boyd’s Creek is currently up in the air.  TDOT has no projects scheduled at this time.
As for the East Tennessee South RPO, Doughty said there are no projects slated for Boyd’s Creek during the 3 Year Work Program for 2012-2014.

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