Rumble Status

. . Thanks to everyone who have sent notes to TDOT.  Although this section of SR-258 is within Federal 4-foot shoulder (mostly) guidelines for rumbling, I am hoping if TDOT learns of the importance of this route to bicyclists we can get extra consideration.
. . This morning I sent Jessica Wilson (TDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator) my report on this application. You can access that report here.
. . TDOT does not plan to rumble the 2-foot wide shoulder section between Drakes Creek and Long Hollow Pike, but the current plans are to rumble any part that has a 4-foot wide or more shoulder. The newly repaired and widened shoulder on New Hope improves safety for bicyclists, but it looks like we are going to have to learn to dodge a 8-inch wide rumble on the Fog line.

Rumble on New Hope Road

. . The resurfacing of New Hope (see Phil's picture in an earlier POST) set off alarm bells.  I chased down the Construction Plans for SR-258 and noticed it was included as a HSIP (Hwy Safety Improvement Proj).  To me that signaled RUMBLE.  I have confirmed with TDOT that New Hope is indeed scheduled to be RUMBLED.  In the past couple of days both Bruce and I have written notes to our contact at TDOT expressing the serious potential safety issues to bicyclists for probably the most popular bike route in Sumner County.
. . We plan to continue to try to modify TDOT's plans for New Hope, but I want every bicyclist to be aware of what is in the plans (spread the word!). We are open to ideas.  Once this road is RUMBLED the State has no cost effective way to remove the RUMBLE.