The Murfreesboro City Council voted 6-0 on Sept. 17, 2026, to start design on two Broad Street intersection projects and to replace the playground at Rogers Park, according to the meeting minutes. The council also approved a final change order that closes out the Blackman Road, Manson Pike and Burnt Knob Road intersection project.
Mayor Shane McFarland and council members Jami Averwater, Madelyn Scales Harris, Bill Shacklett, Kirt Wade and Shawn Wright voted for each item. Council member Austin Maxwell is listed as absent.
What is planned for Broad Street and South Church Street?
The council approved Task Order No. 1 with Energy Land & Infrastructure, LLC (ELI) for $166,400 to survey and design roadway and signal improvements at the Broad Street and South Church Street intersection. The money comes from the city's fiscal year 2022 Capital Improvements Program, and the approval was pending legal approval.
According to the council communication, the project includes:
- Widening and reconstruction to add right- and left-turn lanes
- Replacing the existing traffic signal with a mast-arm signal
- Signal and fiber improvements
- Pedestrian improvements
ELI's contract also covers utility coordination and design, right-of-way and construction plans, permitting and bid-phase services. The council's approval is for design work. The city documents do not give a construction date or a construction cost.
What is changing at Front Street, Vine Street and NW Broad Street?
The council approved a professional services contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., estimated at $358,400, for the preliminary and final design of a Front Street and Vine Street realignment at NW Broad Street. The city says the money comes from the FY 2022 Capital Improvements Program and MED proceeds.
The city says the project will realign Front Street and Vine Street and add a traffic signal to improve the intersection geometry at NW Broad Street. Kimley-Horn's scope also says it will evaluate access management around the intersection, including:
- A right-in, right-out channelizing island on Front Street north of NW Broad Street
- A median along NW Broad Street
- A right-turn lane from NW Broad Street onto Front Street
The work also includes right-of-way design and acquisition support, utility coordination, roadway lighting and bid-phase services. Kimley-Horn's proposal identifies NW Broad Street as U.S. 41/State Route 1, assumes a project duration of up to 18 months for its work and includes kickoff meetings with both the city and the Tennessee Department of Transportation.
Is the Blackman, Manson and Burnt Knob intersection project finished?
The council approved a final change order with Hawkins and Price, LLC that adjusts the contract to the actual work performed. The change adds $61,586, raising the contract from $4,865,978 to $4,927,564.
According to the city, the project widened each approach of the intersection to add left-turn, right-turn and through lanes and installed traffic and pedestrian signals. Hawkins and Price was awarded the contract in January 2025. City staff said several items needed more quantities than originally specified, and the increase stays within staff's goal of keeping changes within 5% of the original contract. The money was allocated in the FY26 Capital Improvements Program budget.
What is happening at the Rogers Park playground?
The council approved a $216,544 purchase and installation agreement with Recreational Concepts, LLC, through a Sourcewell cooperative contract, to replace the playground equipment at Rogers Park.
The city says the playground has reached the end of its useful life. The project will replace it within the existing footprint with new Landscape Structures equipment, swings, border timbers and accessible ramps. Parks and Recreation staff will remove the current playground. The project is funded with Community Development Block Grant money.
The city documents do not give a date for when the old playground will close or when the new one will open.
What else did the council approve on Sept. 17?
Other items approved at the meeting include:
- $191,278 for 2,808 roll-out trash carts from Rehrig Pacific Company
- An amendment to a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation grant contract that lets the city receive an additional $4,953,580
- An amendment adding $2,470 a year for DroneSense software licenses for two new police drones
- Abandonment of the North Thompson Lane/West College Street connector road right-of-way, with the transfer to happen no sooner than Dec. 1, 2026, and no later than Feb. 15, 2027
More Murfreesboro roads and parks news
Other road work around the city is covered in North Thompson Lane widening work and the I-24 at Epps Mill Road interchange project. An earlier council meeting is recapped in Murfreesboro lot width and pickleball court rules. Families looking for a playground in the meantime can browse the Murfreesboro parks guide, and the Murfreesboro City Hall guide explains how to reach city offices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the new Rogers Park playground cost?
The council approved $216,544 for the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Rogers Park, funded with Community Development Block Grant money.
Will Broad Street and South Church Street get new turn lanes?
The design the council approved includes widening to add right- and left-turn lanes, a new mast-arm traffic signal and pedestrian improvements. The Sept. 17 approval covers design only.
Is a traffic signal coming to Front Street and NW Broad Street?
The city says the Front Street and Vine Street realignment project will add a traffic signal at NW Broad Street. Kimley-Horn is designing the project.
How much did the Blackman/Manson/Burnt Knob intersection cost?
After the final change order, the Hawkins and Price construction contract totals $4,927,564.
How did the council vote?
Every item covered here passed 6-0. Council member Austin Maxwell was absent.
Sources: City of Murfreesboro: City Council Meeting Minutes, Sept. 17, 2026 (PDF), City of Murfreesboro: City Council Agenda Packet, Sept. 17, 2026 (PDF).
*Illustration: AI-generated image; not an actual Murfreesboro intersection or playground.*