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Spring Hill Approves Major Road Widening Projects at U.S. 31 and Buckner Lane

Issue #417

April 24, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🌧️ Columbia’s Weather - Morning thunderstorms expected w/ high of 75 & low of 63

📰 Spring Hill Approves Major Road Widening Projects at U.S. 31 and Buckner Lane

📰 Safety First: TDOT Highlights Work Zone Dangers After 35 Crashes This Year

📌 4/26: Whitthorne Jazz Fest

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, April 24th

Friday, April 25th

Saturday, April 26th

Sunday, April 27th

Monday, April 28th

Tuesday, April 29th

Spring Hill Approves Major Road Widening Projects at U.S. 31 and Buckner Lane

At its first meeting with newly elected members, the Spring Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen approved two major road widening contracts, setting in motion improvements on U.S. Highway 31 and Buckner Lane South.

The U.S. 31 widening project will span from Duplex Road to north of Thompsons Ridge Road/Buckner Road. The city passed a resolution to contribute just under $893,000 toward construction costs, fulfilling its required 20% match for the federally supported Surface Transportation Program (STP). With this latest commitment, the city’s total investment in STP-backed projects now exceeds $6.4 million.

City leaders also formally acknowledged Thompson’s Station for its $15 million contribution to the U.S. 31 project—funds that will help expedite progress on the long-planned expansion.

The second major development was the approval of a contract for the final phase of the Buckner Lane South widening. This phase will connect Buckner Road to Duplex Road and completes the broader widening effort that began in 2023. The segment was initially split into two parts: the northern portion, awarded previously to Jones Bros., and the southern portion, now awarded to Mastec Civil, LLC.

The southern segment's contract totals just over $10.2 million, with nearly $930,000 budgeted as a contingency. Funding will come from bond proceeds, similar to the earlier northern phase, which was ultimately approved for $17.8 million.

City officials expressed relief that the southern contract came in lower than anticipated. They also confirmed that the two contractors—Jones Bros. and Mastec—have coordinated to avoid disruptions as the overlapping parts of their respective projects progress.

Concerns about timelines were addressed by the city’s Capital Improvement Project Manager, who confirmed that the new contract includes financial penalties if deadlines are missed. The northern project had previously faced delays due in part to external factors and permitting issues.

Pre-construction for the southern segment is expected to begin within the next three weeks.

Safety First: TDOT Highlights Work Zone Dangers After 35 Crashes This Year

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is joining states nationwide to ask motorists to Work with Us – move over and slow down for highway workers. TDOT will spread that message statewide during National Work Zone Awareness Week (April 21-25) to improve safety in Tennessee’s interstate and highway construction and maintenance work zones. This year’s theme is “Respect the Zone, So We All Get Home.”

“Work zone safety is a shared responsibility, whether behind the wheel or working on the side of the road,” said Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “We engineer our roads to be as safe as possible, but no amount of engineering can change driver behavior. 113 TDOT workers have been killed in work zones. Let’s work together to ensure everyone makes it home safely.”

The spring and summer months provide perfect weather for highway work. Work zones include major interstate widening projects, repaving, and litter pickup. Motorists will encounter work zones across the state.

Last year in Tennessee, 16 people died in work zone crashes. So far this year, there have been 35 incidents in which drivers crashed into TDOT equipment and vehicles, including HELP Trucks. These are secondary work zones where our HELP patrols and other first responders assist motorists.

TDOT launched the Work with Us—Move Over, Slow Down safety campaign in 2017 to raise awareness of the importance of safety in work zones throughout the year. To learn more about the campaign, see answers to frequently asked questions about work zones, and take the Work with Us pledge, click on https://www.tn.gov/tdot/work-with-us

4/26: Whitthorne Jazz Fest

Join us for the 2025 Whitthorne Jazz Fest on Saturday, April 26 at the Ridley 4-H Center in Columbia, TN!

Enjoy a full day of amazing performances starting at 11:00 AM, featuring WMS Tiger Jazz Catz, CHS Jazz Band, SHMS Jazz Band, The Alderson Jazz Collective, SHHS Jazz Band, The Merchants of Cool, Some Other Blues Jazz Combo, and a special closing set by the WMS Tiger Jazz Catz at 2:30!

PLUS – Come hungry and ready to support our band program! Jazz Fest T-Shirts available for purchase, concessions including hamburger/cheeseburger combos (with chips & drink), light snacks, and candy, and Kona Ice Truck on site — 20% of proceeds go directly to jazz education at Whitthorne Middle School! All concession, shirt, and Kona Ice proceeds benefit the Whitthorne Band Program.

Come out and support our young musicians and enjoy a great day of jazz, food, and community!

Location: Ridley 4H Center, 850 Lion Parkway, Columbia

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, April 24th

Oliver Pigott, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Colonsay, Legacy Coffee, 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Codetta South & Bronwen Fair, McCreary’s, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Friday, April 25th

Beyond The Grove, Buck & Board, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Larry Gatlin, Gary Chapman & Regie Hamm, The Mulehouse, 7:00 PM
WTFunk, McCreary’s, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Open Mic Night With Matt Heldman, Twisted Copper Brewing Company, 7:00 PM
Tennessee Stills, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Saturday, April 26th

Nick Bentley, Keg Springs Winery, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Grasskickers, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Kamber, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Pickin’ N Grinnin’ Night, 5:30 - 9:00 PM, Bethel Community Center & Club (Santa Fe)
Cole Nichols & Austin Bohannon, 106 Pleasant St, Mt Pleasant, TN, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
615 Rewind, The Boondox, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, April 27th

The Sins, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Low Tech Rednecks, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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