HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Traffic at the intersection of New Shackle Island Road and Old Drakes Creek Road in Sumner County is a daily reality — mornings, evenings and even Sundays.
According to crash data I obtained from the Tennessee Highway Patrol, since the start of 2025, there have been 23 crashes at the intersection. Nearly half of those crashes caused injuries, leaving 16 people hurt.
Todd Boyte has lived around the corner for nearly 20 years.
"We're kind of in no man's land where it's not the city of Hendersonville; it's Sumner County, although I live less than a quarter of a mile in that direction, and I'm in the city," Boyte said.
Improvements are coming to the intersection, according to Sumner County Road Superintendent Toby Ellis, who says a traffic signal and turn lanes are planned. Right now, officials are working on property appraisals, with hopes of starting construction next summer.
A Tennessee Department of Transportation spokesperson says the agency is reviewing the designs and coordinating with the Federal Highway Administration because federal grant money is helping pay for the project. Sumner County says construction is expected to cost at least $3.5 million.
While welcoming the news of planned improvements, Boyte expressed concern about what could happen before construction begins.
"It's tremendous, but can we get a temporary red light? I mean, let's start small, let's start small with this project," Boyte said.
Boyte says the lack of infrastructure has been a long-standing frustration.
We'll continue to follow this project and bring you updates as construction gets underway.
If you've got an issue you think I can help with, email me at HannahCanHelp@NewsChannel5.com.
September 11, 2001 is a day most associate with terror and tragedy. Austin Pollack shares a story from that day about hope and persistence: the effort to save a little girl’s life – with an organ donation. The problem? The young patient was in Houston, and her life-saving liver here in Nashville. With the grounding of all civilian aircraft, how could it be done? “Nobody ever said this isn’t possible.”
- Rhori Johnston
