Interstate 640 Reconstruction

Knox County

Overview

 

Update:

Motorists traveling on I-640 East and West in Knox County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have an effect on traffic.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 10, I-640 East and West will be reduced from three lanes to two lanes and traffic shifted between Mile Marker 6 (Broadway exit) and I-40.  This is the start of rubblization activities in the area, and lane closures will be in place 24/7.

This schedule is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists should expect delays and are advised to use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present. 

 

The project along Interstate 640, from the Interstate 40 interchange east of Knoxville to the Interstate 40 interchange west of Knoxville, consists of resurfacing or reconstructing the roadway for approximately 10 miles.

Purpose and Need

I-640 was designed and constructed in the late 1970s as an east-west loop around the city of Knoxville. Upon completion of the roadway in 1982, it linked I-40 with US 441, I-75/I-275, and other routes in the city, just in time for the World’s Fair.

Today, traffic counts along the interstate connector average between 66,000 and 87,000 vehicles per day. The existing roadway is three lanes in each direction. Much of the existing road surface is in substandard condition and needs to be repaired or replaced. An extensive pavement project is needed for the six-lane facility.

The proposed improvements will improve the safety and mobility of the entire corridor.

Design

The proposed design calls for repair or replacement of the deteriorated pavement throughout the 10-mile corridor.

Due to the size of the corridor, the I-640 project has been divided into two smaller sections or phases.

  • Phase 1: I-640 between I-75/I-275 and I-40 (west of Knoxville) COMPLETED
    • remove top layer of asphalt
    • replace with two layers of asphalt, including a binding layer
  • Phase 2: I-640 between I-40 (east of Knoxville) and I-75/I-275
    • rubblize existing roadway surface
    • use rubblized material for new roadway base
    • repave roadway

Map of Phase 1 & 2 for I-640 Reconstruction

Email Updates

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