KYLE MURPHYStaff Writer

As the school year is about to start at Tullahoma High School (THS), the city of Tullahoma and the Tullahoma Police Department has put out a public service announcement regarding traffic on Big Springs Avenue.

According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), as part of the ongoing Wilson Avenue widening project, Big Springs Avenue at Wilson Avenue will be restricted to one lane in one direction during specific times of the day and closed at all other times, including weekends.

Per TDOT, starting Thursday, July 31, one lane will be open in the morning from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for traffic coming to THS from Wilson Avenue. In the afternoon, one lane will be open from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for traffic leaving the high school. In the event of the high school having a 1 p.m. dismissal, the afternoon opening will be adjusted to 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. to accommodate early release. Outside of these designated windows, Big Springs Avenue will remain closed.

According to Community Engagement Officer Lyle Russell, this is so the construction workers can continue to finish the road work.

“They’re helping us out tremendously by getting it open at least one way,” Russell said.

Russell added a Tullahoma Police officer will be present during both morning and afternoon openings to direct traffic, and Frazier McEwen Park and the Rocket Park Playground will remain accessible by turning onto Big Springs Avenue from North Jackson Street.

Russell also reminded drivers to monitor their speed and use caution when traveling through the work zone.

“Drive safely, definitely drive slowly and pay attention to your surroundings because not only will we have possibly new drivers coming to the high school, there may be some foot traffic around Frazier McEwen Park,” Russell advised. “There will be workers present and it could be a very difficult environment to navigate, especially if you have a brand new driver that this is their first year driving to school.”

Russell then advised parents who children are driving to school, especially if this school is their first, to recommend they use the North Jackson Street entrance to the high school instead of Big Springs Avenue.

“A new driver trying to navigate high traffic areas, one ways construction with workers present, has the potential to be dangerous for a new driver,” Russell said. So please use an alternate route if you can, and be really careful when you drive in.”

Anyone with questions regarding traffic and road work at Big Springs Avenue are asked to call City Hall at 931-455-2648.