TDOT Announces Decision for Pellissippi Parkway Extension in Blount County
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After careful consideration, the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has chosen Alternative A as its preferred route for the proposed Pellissippi Parkway Extension (State Route 162) in Blount County.
Throughout the project development process, TDOT met with local citizens, local and public officials, as well as local, state, and federal agencies. Their input and TDOT’s analysis of the environmental impacts of the project alternatives were key factors in the decision process. The legislative bodies from the City of Maryville, the City of Alcoa, and Blount County have adopted resolutions to state their support for the selection of Alternative A for this project.
Alternative A will provide substantial improvement in reducing traffic delays in Blount County, and will complete Pellissippi Parkway (SR 162/I-140) as envisioned by local and regional planning organizations. This route will extend Pellissippi Parkway as a new four-lane divided roadway on a minimum of 300 feet of right-of-way. Interchanges are planned at SR 33, SR 35 (US 411), and SR 73 (US 321). The new roadway is approximately 4.3 miles in length.
“The selection of Alternative A is the result of productive collaboration and strong partnerships between TDOT, the community, and government agencies,” said TDOT Commissioner John Schroer. “Alternative A will provide a safer route for travelers in northeastern Blount County.”
The Department will now perform additional environmental technical studies for the preferred route. These will include studies for natural, social, and cultural resources. The preparation of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) is scheduled to be completed in the Spring of 2013.
For more information on the Pellissippi Parkway Extension project, please visit http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/pellissippi/default.htm.
For travel and TDOT construction information, please visit the TDOT SmartWay web site at www.tn.gov/tdot/tdotsmartway, or call 511 from any landline or cellular phone. You can also receive traffic alerts via TDOT’s multiple Twitter feeds, including statewide traffic tweets. Smartphone users can use the TDOT SmartWay Mobile website at http://m.tdot.tn.gov/SmartWay/ to access TDOT’s SmartWay cameras and information on construction related lane closures and incidents on interstates and state routes.
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For more information:
Mark Nagi
TDOT Region 1 Community Relations Officer
Office 865.594.0161
Mobile 865.255.7731