Alcoa Highway Traffic Impacts

Woodson Drive to Cherokee Trail

Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.

Beginning on Monday, June 8, and continuing through Saturday, June 13, the contractor will perform rolling roadblocks on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) between Woodson Drive and Cherokee Trail. These rolling roadblocks will take place in short intervals (approximately 20 minutes each) and will be spaced out to allow traffic to return to normal flow between operations. These rolling roadblocks will be intermittent each day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow crews to safely mobilize equipment and perform rock excavation and clearing activities.

In addition, beginning on Monday, June 8, and continuing through Saturday, June 13, crews will be conducting flagging operations on the ramp from northbound Alcoa Highway at the traffic signal at Cherokee Trail and along Cherokee Trail between the Alcoa Highway interchange and Medical Center Way. These flagging operations will take place each day between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to allow crews to unload materials and for trucks to safely enter and exit the work areas.

Also, beginning on Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11, crews will have a lane closed on southbound Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) between Marine Park and Maloney Road between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. each night.  This lane closure is required to install safety devices and pavement markings for a temporary lane shift for upcoming utility work.

Woodson Drive continues to be closed at Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) to allow crews to place the required fill, utilities, and storm drain for the new roadway alignment and roundabout. This closure will remain in place until construction of Woodson Drive is complete, expected to be on or before Friday, July 31.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and “Know Before You Go!” by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel.

Woodson Drive at Alcoa Highway Closure

Motorists traveling on Alcoa Highway (US 129/State Route 115) and in the Woodson Drive community in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have a temporary impact on traffic.

As part of the improvements to Alcoa Highway from Woodson Drive to Cherokee Trail, TDOT is building a new roundabout at Woodson Drive to make the intersection of this essential roadway with the collector road and Wye Way safe and efficient. This location is close to where Woodson Drive connects to Alcoa Highway. 

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, June 1, crews will close Woodson Drive and Wye Way at the intersection with Alcoa Highway while crews place fill material, install storm drain and utilities, and construct the new roundabout and curbs. Traffic will be detoured to Cherokee Trail. Woodson Drive will reopen in its permanent configuration on or before Friday, July 31.

To improve the vertical alignment of the roadway, up to 4 feet of fill will be placed over the existing roadway to raise it to the new roundabout level. Crews cannot safely place deep fills in this manner while traffic is present, which is why the intersection needs to be closed during construction. Additionally, the roadway width within the roundabout is insufficient to accommodate traffic.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.