TDOT to Host Public Meetings for the I-40/I-75 West Knoxville PEL Study

KNOXVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) invites the public to attend upcoming public meetings regarding the I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor. TDOT initiated a Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study earlier this year to consider improvements to approximately 17 miles of interstate, with study limits extending from the I-40/I-75 Interchange in Loudon County to the I-640 Interchange west of Knoxville.

In accordance with Title 23 of the United States Code, Section 168 (23 U.S.C. 168), TDOT intends to adopt the planning products and recommendations resulting from the PEL Study. The PEL Study will also assist TDOT in making informed decisions for the network of interstates in and around West Knoxville. A PEL Study is a technical approach that integrates transportation planning with environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), allowing corridor-level challenges to be identified early through broad, planning-level studies. These studies help pinpoint transportation issues and guide future project development, streamlining decision-making across agencies and expediting the identification and advancement of projects.

The purpose of the PEL Study is to alleviate congestion and enhance mobility and operational efficiency in the West Knoxville area. The upcoming public meetings will provide the public an opportunity to learn about and provide input on the PEL Study’s existing conditions, draft purpose and need, and alternatives screening methodology.

TDOT will host three open-house-style public meetings featuring interactive and informative stations, providing an opportunity to learn more about the PEL Study and to submit comments through an online survey.

The content presented will be identical at all three events and held at the following times and locations:

• Monday, November 10, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Farragut Community Center, Assembly Hall (239 Jamestowne Blvd., Farragut, TN 37934)
• Wednesday, November 12, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Pellissippi State Community College, J.L. Goins Administration Building (10915 Hardin Valley Road, Knoxville, TN 37932)
• Thursday, November 13, 2025, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the City of Knoxville Public Works Service Center, Community Room (3131 Morris Ave., Knoxville, TN 37909)

Materials presented at the in-person public meetings and the online survey can be found on the I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor PEL Study website here: https://www.tn.gov/tdot/projects/projects-region-1/west-knoxville-corridor.html

You are encouraged to complete the I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor PEL Study Survey at any time during the public comment period. Public comments will be accepted through December 4, 2025. Individuals unable to attend the meetings in person are encouraged to review online meeting materials and submit comments by:

• Email - westknox@publicinput.com
• Phone – 1-855-925-2801 Project Code -11074
• Mail – TDOT Project Comments, I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor PEL Study, 505 Deaderick Street, Suite 700, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0349

Persons with disabilities who require aids or services to participate in the public comment period may contact TDOT ADA Coordinator Shanna Chevalier no less than 10 days prior to the end date of the comment period at Shanna.Chevalier@tn.gov or by phone at (615) 741-0465 or TTY at 711.