The Town of Smyrna is celebrating a major transportation milestone following the Greater Nashville Regional Council (GNRC) Transportation Policy Board’s approval of funding for the McEwen Drive/Rocky Fork Connector Project.
The approval marks a significant step forward for a transportation connection the Town has pursued for many years and positions the project to move into the next phase of planning and development.
The Town submitted the project through GNRC’s competitive regional call-for-projects process. Following a comprehensive technical review and evaluation, it was selected as one of only four projects recommended for funding. The GNRC Transportation Coordinating Committee endorsed the project on July 1, and the Transportation Policy Board’s action provides the final policy approval needed for the project to advance.
“This is an exciting day for Smyrna and for the future of transportation throughout our region,” said Mayor Mary Esther Reed. “This milestone reflects what can be accomplished when communities work together toward a shared vision. I am incredibly proud of our staff, whose expertise, persistence, and thoughtful planning helped position this project for success, and I appreciate the collaboration of our regional partners throughout the process. The McEwen Drive/Rocky Fork Connector represents more than a new roadway; it is an investment in connectivity, economic opportunity, public safety, and the long-term future of our growing region.”
The long-term vision for the project is to create a continuous transportation corridor connecting the McEwen Drive area in Williamson County through the Rocky Fork corridor to Interstate 24. The connection would provide Smyrna with an additional east-west transportation route, improve regional connectivity, reduce congestion on existing roadways and interchanges, enhance emergency response capabilities, and support continued residential and commercial growth in western Smyrna and surrounding communities. It will also strengthen connections between Rutherford and Williamson counties, improving access to employment centers, commercial destinations, and residential communities on both sides of the county line.
Town Manager David Santucci recognized the collaborative efforts that helped bring the project to this point.
“This approval represents the outstanding work of our staff and the value of strong regional partnerships,” said Santucci. “I want to thank Public Works Director Tom Rose, Town Engineer Jason Taylor, and Planning Manager Kevin Rigsby for developing a thorough, well-supported proposal that clearly demonstrated the regional significance of this project. Their efforts ensured Smyrna presented a compelling case for why this connector is important not only to our community, but to the entire region. I also want to recognize Mayor Reed for her leadership and advocacy on the GNRC Transportation Policy Board. Her commitment to regional collaboration and thoughtful transportation planning was instrumental in moving this long-discussed project forward and securing the funding needed to begin the next phase.”
Although the project has reached a significant milestone, substantial work remains before construction can begin. Over the next 12 to 24 months, the project will enter preliminary engineering and environmental review, during which alignment alternatives will be evaluated and required environmental and technical studies completed. Detailed engineering design and right-of-way acquisition are expected to follow and could require an additional 18 to 36 months, depending on coordination with property owners, partner agencies, and regulatory approvals. Construction would then follow, likely occurring in phases over several years as funding and project logistics allow.
While this is a multi-year effort, today’s approval moves the McEwen Drive/Rocky Fork Connector beyond the conceptual stage and provides the resources needed to begin advancing one of Smyrna’s most significant long-term transportation priorities.
The project reflects the Town’s continued commitment to strategic infrastructure investments that improve quality of life, strengthen regional connectivity, and prepare Smyrna for future growth. As planning advances, the Town will continue working closely with regional partners, neighboring jurisdictions, state agencies, and the public to ensure the project is developed in a thoughtful and collaborative manner.
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