Jefferson Pike will soon be widened after numerous fatality accidents

Jul 25, 2014 at 11:31 am by bryan


Jefferson Pike will soon be widened. However, some say the project is taking place after too many lives have been lost. John Phillips' son Jonathan died in a wreck about 10-years ago on Jefferson Pike. The accident happened directly around the corner from his home.

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Phillips was a graduate of Oakland High School in 2002

Jefferson Pike is heavily used to access State Route 840, Nissan Manufacturing, the Middle Point Landfill and several thousand homes in the neighborhoods between Smyrna and Lascassas. The Tennessee Department of Transportation has approved for the road to be widened between Nissan Drive and State Route 840. Construction will begin in the near future, after all land acquisitions are agreed upon. An exact timeline of construction has not been released.

According to a project planning study that was released in 2007, in one three year period over a 4-mile stretch of road between Nissan Drive and State Route 840, a total of 67 accidents occurred. Of that number, 24-people were injured and 3 were killed.

 

Hear the full statement by John Philips about his son Jonathan (6min and 13sec):

In 2002, Jonathan Phillips was honored by the state legislative body for his achievements at Oakland High School. Phillips, son of John and Joan Phillips, was the Valedictorian. Click here to read the resolution.

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