Roads get cushions, drivers hit the brakes
Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted unanimously Thursday, Jan. 8, to approve the installation of speed cushions on portions of Union Road and Midhurst Drive.
Following resident applications submitted Aug. 29, 2024, assistant Town engineer Eric Schindler proposed installing two sets of speed cushions on Union Road between Everett Road and Smith Road.
“A speed study was conducted and determined that excessive speeding is present in the speed zone,” Schindler said. “Excessive speeding is defined as an 85th-percentile speed greater than 10 mph over the posted speed limit of 25 mph.”
He said the study showed average vehicle speeds of 39 mph to 40 mph at one proposed location
near 12415 Union Road, depending on direction of travel. At another proposed location near 12504 Union Road, average speeds ranged from 38 mph to 43 mph.
During an Aug. 6, 2025, public meeting, Schindler said resident support for the project was strong.
“The Traffic Calming Policy requires that more than 50 percent of the returned ballots from the speed zone be in favor of traffic-calming devices,” he said. “Sixteen ballots were mailed and seven were returned, with six — or 86 percent — supporting the installation.”
Farragut Municipal Planning Commission later voted unanimously to recommend approval.
Schindler said the proposed speed cushions are made of injection-molded composite material and measure approximately 78 inches wide, 80 inches long and 3 inches tall at the highest point. The cushions are designed for vehicle speeds of 15 to 20 mph.
The estimated cost to install the two bolt-down speed cushions on Union Road is $6,000.
The board also approved three speed cushions on Midhurst Drive, to be installed between the eastern intersection of Foxford Drive and Barbara Lane. Each speed cushion will be installed at 11605 Midhurst Drive, 11550 Midhurst Drive and 11534 Midhurst Drive.
The Town received the traffic-calming request for Midhurst Drive on Dec. 30, 2024. A speed study showed average vehicle speeds ranging from 34 mph to 39 mph in the 25 mph zone.
Schindler said resident feedback at an Aug. 7, 2025,
public meeting was similarly
positive.
“Twenty-six ballots were mailed, and 14 were returned, with 13 — or 93 percent — in favor of traffic-calming devices,” he said.
The Midhurst Drive speed cushions will be constructed of the same material as those planned for Union Road, with an estimated installation cost of $8,000.
