By Ryan Lewis
Correspondent
SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. -- The construction of a new business on U.S. Highway 72 has some nearby residents afraid they are going to lose some of their property and possibly their homes.
The particular stretch of highway on which the business -- a car wash -- has been built does not have a turning lane, but the Tennessee Department of Transportation is looking into the possibility of creating one because of safety concerns along the busy road, local officials said.
But adding the turn lane means widening the road.
"If you put a turning lane in, you're going to put traffic within 10 feet of my front porch," said Virgil Holder, who lives next door to the new business. "The state will buy up what's necessary to put that in, and there's nothing I could do about it.
"I don't think I should have to give up my property and my home," he said. "That's something that should have been addressed before."
City Commissioner Gene King said that he understands Mr. Holder's position, but the turning lane issue must be addressed.
"All we're concerned about is the safety of the people coming up and down the road," he said. "That's got to be our main concern here."
According to City Commissioner Charles Reynolds, the South Pittsburg City Commission has no intention of prodding TDOT to put in a turning lane in the area under contention. The decision on whether to create a turning lane will be left to the state.
"I'm sure the city will look into it -- every aspect of it," Mr. Reynolds said. "We want to be safe on (Mr. Holder's) side and on (the business owner's) side."
"I understand it's a safety issue," said Mr. Holder. "I'm just very concerned to have to give up my home. I've lived there all my life."
Ryan Lewis is based in Marion County. Contact him at ryanlewis34@gmail.com.