Metro plan would improve Green Hills traffic

Metro is in talks with owners of the CVS drugstore and Krystal properties in Green Hills about options that include buying portions of those sites for roadway improvements.

The Green Hills Area Transportation Plan, which is included in the city's NashvilleNext 25-year growth plan the Metro Planning Commission approved earlier this week, cited as a critical need realignment of Glen Echo and Crestmoor roads at Hillsboro Pike to improve street connectivity and traffic flow.

"This is another step in the direction to try to minimize congestion on that road," said Ed Cole, co-organizer of the new Alliance for Green Hills.

Developers, Green Hills residents, property owners and businesses recently formed that group to focus on transportation, open space, recreation and beautification issues.

Craig Owensby, a spokesman for the Metro Planning Department, said the city became aware that the two property owners were having discussions. "We're looking for ways to advance the straightening out of that intersection," he said.

If Metro is successful in buying the CVS property, that would allow for elimination of the offset intersection so commuters heading west on Glen Echo could continue to Crestmoor without turning onto Hillsboro Pike. On the north-south route, that would allow for one less set of traffic signals on Hillsboro Pike, which would improve traffic flow by minimizing the number of stops on that street.

CVS would relocate to the north side of the new intersection where the Krystal is located. A finalized plan would be subject to agreements involving all of the affected parties.

Tennessee CVS Pharmacy LLC owns the drugstore location at 3801 Hillsboro Pike, while 3715 Hillsboro Holdings Inc. owns the Krystal fast-food restaurant property at 3715 Hillsboro Pike

Michael DeAngelis, a CVS spokesman, said the company wasn't aware of Metro's interest in the property, hasn't been contacted and has no plans to relocate that drugstore. A spokesman for 3715 Hillsboro Holdings Inc., who is with Gaines & Associates in Brentwood, also declined to comment.

Owensby said there's been funding in Metro's capital budget for traffic improvements in Green Hills for several years. But he said the city hasn't made an offer on specific properties yet.

Overall, the Green Hills Area Transportation Plan cited improving the east-west movement of traffic across Hillsboro Pike to help with mobility. The extension of Abbott Martin Road across Hillsboro Pike to Hillmont Drive is a priority in the plan, which also cited creating connections between parking areas and adjacent properties to allow cars to move more freely without having to exit onto Hillsboro Pike.

Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.