MURFREESBORO, TN - While construction appears to have halted temporarily at the future site of a Buc-ee's in Murfreesboro, plans for the project remain firmly in place. According to Murfreesboro Assistant City Manager Sam Huddleston on Wednesday night, “The contractor is waiting on pipe to be delivered.” Construction crews are expected to resume work once the necessary pipes arrive as they were temporairly pulled off the job, per the engineering department in Murfreesboro.

Despite what will amount to a short-lived lull in construction, progress on not only Buc-ee's is actually ahead of schedule, according to Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland on Wednesday. The Mayor said he confirmed the progress through Chris Griffith, the Murfreesboro Executive Director of Public Infrastructure. 

During a Murfreesboro Water Resource Board Meeting held on February 27, 2024, discussions revolved around the construction of an additional sewer force main for the city's Butler Drive Realignment Project. Force mains transport wastewater and the components can streamline sewer line installations and even project timelines. They can reduce the size and depth of sewer lines, which in-turn can also reduce trenching challenges.

The Butler Drive Realignment Project, spanning approximately 0.9 miles, aims to shift Butler Drive westward, connecting it to Joe B. Jackson Parkway. This realignment is strategically driven by the surge in commercial property interest and ongoing projects in the vicinity of Joe B. Jackson and I-24.

The momentum behind commercial developments, including the anticipated Buc-ee's, has expedited the city's efforts to advance the Butler Drive Realignment Project. The project received a green light with a "Notice to Proceed" issued on January 22, 2024. Additionally, as part of the infrastructure enhancements, Elam Road is also being realigned to accommodate the future intersection with Joe B. Jackson Parkway next to the future Buc-ee's.

The forthcoming Murfreesboro Buc-ee's, spanning 76,245 square feet, will boast 120 fuel pumps, electric charging stations, and a walking trail.

Buc-ee's, known for its expansive travel centers, has already made significant strides in Tennessee, with existing locations on I-40 in Crossville and Sevierville. Furthermore, plans for another Buc-ee's in West Tennessee have been confirmed, with recent announcements placing the new establishment near Memphis in Gallaway, as disclosed by State Senator Page Walley on April 24, 2024.