Interstate 40 Exit 408

Want to ask a question or make a comment
about the Proposed I-40 Exit 408 Project?

View the September 15, 2026 Public Meeting materials at the links below:

• Presentation
• Handout
• Comment Card
• Display

Public comments can also be provided by calling 1-877-SmartWay (toll free) and leaving a voicemail message with your name, phone number and comment.

Public comments can also be submitted electronically using an online comment form available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2TPKCPX

Public comments received or postmarked by October 6, 2026, will be included in the official summary of the public meeting and incorporated into the Environmental Assessment currently under development. 

See the Public Engagement section of this webpage for additional information. 

Project Overview

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), proposes the construction of a new interchange – proposed Exit 408 – along Interstate 40 (I-40), approximately 1.75 miles east of the existing I-40 Exit 407 interchange in Sevier and Jefferson Counties, Tennessee. The proposed interchange would be designed as a Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) and would include construction of a new north-south connector road linking East Dumplin Valley Road, north of the proposed interchange, and State Route (SR) 139 (Douglas Dam Road) to the south. The connector road would be a four- to eight-lane divided, limited access facility, designed to accommodate future traffic demands. The proposed improvements would total approximately 1.59 miles in length.

Because the proposed project is being designed and constructed utilizing federal transportation dollars, the project is subject to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  TDOT and FHWA are preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with the NEPA to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm.

Current Status: TDOT and FHWA are preparing an EA to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm.

Estimated construction start: This project is currently scheduled in TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan to begin construction in Fiscal Year 2030.

Estimated completion*: TBD

Funding Type: This project is funded through TDOT’s Statewide Partnership Program. To help advance the proposed improvements, additional planning and funding support would be provided by Sevier County and the City of Sevierville.

The preliminary need for the I-40 Proposed Exit 408 project has been identified as the following: 

• Insufficient System Linkage
• Existing Traffic Operational Deficiencies

The preliminary purpose of the I-40 Proposed Exit 408 project has been identified as the following:

• Improve System Linkage
• Improve Traffic Operational Efficiency

Please note that the preliminary purpose and need will be refined as the environmental technical studies are finalized and public feedback from the September 15, 2026, Public Meeting is analyzed. The purpose and need will be formally presented in the EA expected to be released for public review in Quarter 1 of 2027.

Alternatives Under Study

A No-Build Alternative and one Build Alternative are being evaluated in the EA. Each alternative is described in the subsequent text below.

No-Build Alternative

The No-Build Alternative has been retained for detailed study and serves as a benchmark for comparison against the Build Alternative. The No-Build Alternative would retain the existing state route and roadway configuration throughout the project area except for those modifications to the roadway network that have been programmed and approved for implementation, as identified in TDOT’s 25-Year Long Range Transportation Policy Plan, State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP),[2] and the TDOT 10-Year Project Plan and would allow for routine maintenance and safety upgrades.

Build Alternative

The Build Alternative proposes to construct the following four design elements:

• Design Element #1: Construction of a new Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) at proposed Exit 408 along I-40.
• Design Element #2: Construction of a new north-south roadway alignment designated as Connector Road traveling between East Dumplin Valley Road, the proposed I-40 Exit 408 interchange, and SR-139 (Douglas Dam Road). 
• Design Element #3: Construction of a new east-west roadway alignment designated as Gateway Boulevard, parallel to the southern boundary of I-40, which would intersect with Connector Road approximately 0.2 miles south of the proposed Exit 408 interchange. At its western terminus, Gateway Boulevard would connect to a future expansion to be constructed by others.
• Design Element #4: Construction of a new 10-foot greenway to be constructed along Bryan Road, traveling under I-40, and along Gateway Boulevard and Connector Road to SR-139 (Douglas Dam Road).

The Build Alternative would also construct the following signalized intersections:

• Connector Road and East Dumplin Valley Road
• Connector Road and Gateway Boulevard
• Connector Road and SR-139 (Douglas Dam Road).

The Build Alternative would be approximately 1.59 miles in length.

Click here for project map.

TDOT is currently evaluating the environmental impacts related to the Build Alternative and the No-Build Alternative.  Additionally, the No-Build Alternative will serve as a benchmark against which to compare the Build Alternative. Several environmental technical studies are still under development, the results of which will be formally published in the EA that TDOT is currently preparing.  The public will be asked to provide comments on the anticipated environmental impacts and the recommended Preferred Alternative as presented in the approved EA during the Public Hearing, which is tentatively scheduled for Quarter 1 of 2027.

Examples of environmental technical studies under development include:

• Traffic and Safety Analysis
• Land Use, Farmland, and Transportation Infrastructure
• Community Impact Assessment, Relocations, and Economic Resources
• Air Quality and Noise
• Cultural Resources (Historic Architecture and Archaeology)
• Recreational Resources
• Natural Resources
• Visual Impacts
• Hazardous Materials

This website will be one of the principle means of public involvement and feedback. Public comments concerning this project can also be submitted to: TDOT.Comments@tn.gov.

SCHEDULED MEETINGS
TDOT hosted a public meeting on September 15, 2026 to provide the public with an opportunity to provide input and ask questions about the purpose and need of the project and the range of alternatives under consideration.  TDOT representatives were also on-hand to answer any questions. 

Comments on the Project 
Please use the following methods to make a comment or ask a question to the TDOT project team.  Public Comments received or postmarked by October 6, 2026 will be included in the official summary of the public meeting and incorporated into the Environmental Assessment currently under development. 

Written Comments: send a comment card or letter by mail to: 

Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408 
C/O Kimley-Horn and Associates 
10 Lea Avenue, Suite 400 
Nashville, TN 37210 

Download a comment card by clicking here. 

Email TDOT.comments@tn.gov using the subject line Interstate 40 Proposed Exit 408 Project. 

Complete an online comment form available at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2TPKCPX

Verbal Comments and Questions:  Record a verbal comment with the court reporter at the September 15, 2026 Public Meeting. Record a verbal comment by calling 1-877-SmartWay (toll-free) and leaving a voicemail message with your name, phone number, and comment. 

A relocation study or Conceptual Stage Relocation Plan is being prepared as part of the EA to estimate the number of persons who may be displaced by the project. This data will be correlated with an inventory of available rental and sales housing locations. This information will be included as part of the approved EA expected to be released for public review in Quarter 1 of 2027.

If you have a question regarding the TDOT Right-of-Way Acquisition and Relocation Process, please call 1-877-SmartWay (toll-free) and leave a voicemail message with your name, phone number, and question/comment. For more information about the TDOT Right-of-Way Acquisition and Relocation Process, see the TDOT Right of Way website.

Timeline

TDOT is currently developing an EA in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Below is a timeline of milestones for project completion.

*Quarter 1 – January through March.
Quarter 2 – April through June.
Quarter 3 – July through September.
Quarter 4 – October through December

**Forecasted dates are subject to change.
***Once the final environmental document is approved by the Federal Highway Administration, the Planning and Environmental Phase is complete.

Project Contacts

Mark Nagi
TDOT Region 1 Regional Communications Officer (media)
Email: Mark.Nagi@tn.gov
Phone: 865.594.0161

Jeff Branham
TDOT Region 1 Project Management
Email: Jeff.Branham@tn.gov

*Subject to change