'What’s that?' Lebanon's Highway 109 silo, a possible industrial park and a new business

Editor's note: "What's that?" is a periodic feature in The Tennessean that focuses on new construction around Wilson County and beyond. Email ahumbles@tennessean.com if you see a building underway and wonder: "What's that?"

It looks like a large gray silo on the west side of State Route 109 and south of Highway 70 that stands about 100 feet tall with a spiral stairway going up the outside.

"What's that?" you ask.

The structure, it is hoped, will play a role in reducing construction delays. It is part of the continually evolving landscape going north on State Route 109 from Interstate 40.

This terminal will store cement in bulk to provide end users closer access for building projects, said Darrel Goad, general manager with National Cement Co. of Alabama. Cement is an ingredient needed to make concrete. Completion is estimated for the fall.

The terminal will mainly be used for dry cement delivery and storage before trucks transport the cement to mixing plants, Goad said.

More dry cement in storage “helps us have a stronger supply chain,” said Alan Sparkman, executive director of the Tennessee Concrete Association, which advocated for the project with a letter to Lebanon City Hall when the project was going through the approval process.

“One important way to mitigate such disruptions is to shorten the supply chain by having materials available closer to the end users,” Sparkman wrote.

The spiral staircase will be used by employees for maintenance, Goad said.

Cedar Tree industrial project across from Spence Creek

An industrial developer with a plan for around 2 million square feet has started working on road construction plans, stormwater ponds and utilities on the east side of State Route 109, just north of Highway 70 and across from the Spence Creek neighborhood.

There is a concept plan to build seven industrial buildings, said Daniel Camuti of EQT Exeter.

Building plans still need approval and may change, according to Lebanon’s planning staff. The site encompasses an estimated 349 acres and includes two areas with commercial zoning, according to the city.

A traffic signal became operational earlier this year at Rock Castle Drive on the west side of 109 that services Spence Creek and to service the future industrial complex on the east side of 109.

New gas station and restaurant near train station

A new Exxon convenience store and gas station with a restaurant to be determined on State Route 109 near the Martha train station just south of Highway 70 is expected to be finished by late summer or this fall, development partner Paul Patel said.

The Exxon will be about 5,500 square feet and the restaurant around 1,800 square feet under one roof.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 'What’s that?' Lebanon's Highway 109 silo, a possible industrial park and a new business