East Tennessee Construction Report for December 20-26, 2012

BLOUNT COUNTY, US 411/ SR 35 between S. Washington Street and Wilcox Street: SR 35 Eastbound is closed to thru traffic and detoured around this widening project. Eastbound motorists should follow posted detour route.  SR 35 Westbound will remain open and motorists should be alert for possible traffic shifts in this direction.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

COCKE COUNTY, US 25/70/SR 9 Bridge over the French Broad River at Log Mile 21.6: The historic Wolf Creek Bridge on US 25/70/SR 9 over the French Broad River is closed to thru traffic as crews perform work on this bridge rehabilitation project. The bridge will be closed thru March of 2014. Separate signed detours will be in place for passenger and commercial vehicles.  Motorists should adjust travel times accordingly and use caution through this area. For updated project information, go to http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/wolfcreek/

HAMBLEN COUNTY, I-81 North and South near Exit 8:  Motorists should use caution through this construction project..

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 32/US 25E near I-81 Interchange: Motorists should be alert for changing traffic patterns through this project.  Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures and flag persons directing traffic at various times through this project.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 32/US 25E near College Park Drive: Motorists should be alert for changing traffic patterns and lane shifts through this project. Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures at various times through this project.  Short duration traffic stops in both directions may occur daily through this project for utility and equipment crossings.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

HAMBLEN COUNTY, SR 32/US 25E at Morelock Road: Motorists should use caution through this intersection improvement project. 

HAWKINS COUNTY, SR 1/ US 11W over Hoard Creek at Log Mile 33.2:  Motorists should be alert for shoulder closures, workers present and use extreme caution through this drainage structure repair project.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 1 Kingston Pike at Everett Road: Motorists should be alert for changing conditions in this area. Motorists on Kingston Pike near Everett Road should be alert for lane closures in both directions through this bridge widening project. Everett Road between the Kingston Pike intersection and Saint Andrews Drive is closed to thru traffic for most of the duration of the project. Everett Road motorists are advised to use other routes such as Hobbs Road/Union Road and Smith Road to enter and exit this portion of Everett Road.    Motorists should be alert for changed conditions, workers present and use extreme caution through this area.

KNOX COUNTY, SR 62 (Oak Ridge Hwy. /Western Ave.) between Schaad Road and Copper Kettle Road: Motorists should be alert for temporary lane closures at various times throughout this widening project.  Motorists traveling in this area should be alert for workers and equipment present and be alert for changing traffic conditions, detours, traffic shifts and use caution through this area. South Hinton Road between Western Avenue and Third Creek Road; Jimmy Carter Road at Western Avenue and Beaver Ridge Road at Western Avenue are closed for construction.  A short section of Ball Camp Pike between Western Avenue and Goldenrod Street is closed for construction.  Motorists should be alert for changing conditions and follow signed detour routes.

KNOX COUNTY, US 441/SR 33 Henley Bridge over Tennessee River in Downtown Knoxville: The Henley Bridge is closed to traffic for bridge rehabilitation.  Motorists should follow signed detour route using James White Parkway.  For updated project information, go to http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/henley/

KNOX COUNTY, SR 158 Neyland Drive approaching the Henley Bridge: Motorists should be alert for possible temporary lane closures on weekdays between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. through this area as crews perform overhead bridge work.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area. . For updated project information, go to http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/henley/

KNOX COUNTY, SR 131 Emory Road between Gill Road and Clinton Highway: Short duration traffic stops in both directions may occur at various times through this widening project for utility and equipment crossings.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

LOUDON COUNTY, US 321/SR 73 between SR 2 and City Park Drive: Motorists should be alert for changing conditions, workers present, construction equipment and use extreme caution through this area.

ROANE COUNTY, SR 1 /US 27 over Shanty Branch near Poland Hollow Road: Motorists should be alert for traffic shifts and new traffic patterns through this bridge repair project.  Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present and use extreme caution in this area.

SCOTT COUNTY, SR 29 Bridge over Roaring Paunch Creek near Log Mile 24.7 and 25.8: SR 29 is reduced to one lane around the clock and controlled by a temporary traffic signal as crews begin this bridge repair project.  Motorists should be alert for changed conditions and use extreme caution in this area.

SEVIER COUNTY, SR 66 in Sevierville between I-40 and SR 139 (Douglas Dam Rd.): Motorists should be alert for changing conditions and expect potential delays traveling through this area.  For updated project information, go to http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/highway66/

SEVIER COUNTY, SR 66 in Sevierville SR 139 (Douglas Dam Rd.) and SR 338 W (Boyd’s Creek Hwy.): Short duration traffic stops in both directions may occur daily Monday through Friday through this project for utility crossings. Motorists should be alert for changing conditions and expect potential delays traveling through this area.  For updated project information, go to http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/highway66/

SEVIER COUNTY, US 411/ SR 35 near White School Road: Motorists should use caution through this intersection improvement project. 

SULLIVAN COUNTY, I-81 Northbound Ramp to SR 394 at Exit 69:  Motorists should be alert for a lane width reduction on this ramp at this interchange improvement project.  Motorists should be alert for workers and equipment present and use extreme caution in this area.

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Fordtown Road between I-81 and Eastern Star Road: Fordtown Road is currently closed to thru traffic.  Motorists should follow signed detour.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

UNION COUNTY, Existing SR 33 Bridge over Clinch River (Norris Lake) Weight Restrictions: The existing State Route 33 Bridge over Norris Lake is posted with weight limit restrictions and is being strictly enforced.  Weight restrictions are: 5 axle vehicles are 35 tons; 3 or 4 axle vehicle is 22 tons; 2 axle vehicles are 20 tons.  VEHICLES WEIGHING IN EXCESS OF THE RESTRICTED WEIGHTS WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO CROSS THE BRIDGE AND MUST FOLLOW A DETOUR ROUTE. Motorists should use extreme caution and be prepared to stop approaching the bridge.

WASHINGTON/SULLIVAN COUNTY, SR 75 between SR 36 and SR 357: Intermittent lane closures will be implemented in the north and south bound lanes throughout the construction project.  Motorists should be alert for a new traffic pattern at the SR 36 intersection to Henry Lane.  Motorists should expect potential delays and use caution in this area.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, SR 36 between SR 354 and SR 75: Motorists should be alert for possible lane closures and flag persons directing traffic at various times through this project.  Short duration traffic stops in both directions may occur daily through this project for utility and equipment crossings.  Motorists should be alert for workers present and use extreme caution in this area.

For information on statewide interstate construction motorists can access the Tennessee Department of Transportation SmartWay website at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/tdotsmartway/

TDOT is now on Twitter.  For up to the minute traffic information in Knoxville and the Tri-Cities follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/knoxville511. For statewide travel information follow www.twitter.com/TN511

There will be no temporary lane closures on Interstates and State Routes beginning Saturday, December 22, 2012 through 6 a.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2013 due to the Christmas and New Year holiday.  TRAVEL SAFE!!