State Route 170

Anderson County

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is announcing the availability of a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public inspection. The FONSI was approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on February 10, 2026, for the State Route (SR) 170 (Edgemoor Road) widening project, from the SR-62 (Oak Ridge Highway) interchange to SR-9 (US-25W, Clinton Highway), in Anderson County, Tennessee.

The Notice of Availability is available to download electronically here.

The SR 170 FONSI is available to download electronically here.

OVERVIEW

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is proposing to construct improvements to State Route 170 in Anderson County. The existing roadway along SR 170 between SR 62 and SR 9 (US 25W) is a two-lane facility with turn lanes provided at strategic intersections. Construction of this project will increase the number of travel lanes from two to four 12-foot lanes and provide either a raised median or a center turn lane, along with replacing the bridge over the Clinch River. Several intersections along the corridor will also see improvements, including realignment, reconfiguration, and addition of turning lanes. Current plans are to also provide a sidewalk and shared use path for non-motorized users.

Due to the overall corridor length, improvements to SR 170 have been divided into two smaller projects: From near the interchange with SR 62 to near Melton Lake Drive and from near Melton Lake Drive to SR 9 (US 25W).

Both segments of SR 170 are identified for funding in TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan. Both segments are scheduled for construction in 2029.

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 has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) in accordance with NEPA to identify and evaluate the environmental effects of the proposed project and to identify measures to minimize harm. This EA has been prepared in accordance with FHWA’s implementing regulations for NEPA (Title 42 of the United States Code 4331 and 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 771, respectively). FHWA and TDOT are the Lead Agencies for the proposed project; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Nashville District and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) have been identified as Cooperating Agencies.

Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment

Hard copies of the SR 170 Environmental Assessment and technical appendices will be available for public inspection starting on October 14, 2025 at the following locations:

TDOT Region 1 Office | 7345 Region Lane |Knoxville, TN 37914
Oak Ridge Public Library | 1401 Oak Ridge Turnpike | Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Clinton Public Library | 118 S Hicks Street | Clinton, TN 37716
Tennessee Centennial Golf Course | 101 Centennial Boulevard | Oak Ridge, TN 37830

The SR 170 Environmental Assessment and associated technical appendices can also be downloaded by clicking the following links:

SR 170 Environmental Assessment

Appendix A – SR 170 STIP, Project Background, and Line and Grade Plans

Appendix B – SR 170 Concurrence Point 1: Purpose and Need and Study Area/Alternatives to be Evaluated

Appendix C – SR 170 Traffic Capacity and Safety Analysis Technical Memorandum

Appendix D – SR 170 Land Use and Transportation Analysis Technical Memorandum

Appendix E – SR 170 Community Impact Assessment, Relocations, and Economic Resources Technical Memorandum

Appendix F – SR 170 Farmland, Soils, and Floodplain Analysis Technical Memorandum

Appendix G – SR 170 Visual Resources Technical Memorandum

Appendix H – SR 170 Parks and Recreation/Section 4(f) & Section 6(f) Technical Memorandum

Appendix I – SR 170 Air Quality and Noise Technical Reports

Appendix J – SR 170 Ecological Resources Technical Reports

Appendix K – SR 170 Cultural Resources Technical Reports

Appendix L – SR 170 Hazardous Materials Technical Report

Appendix M – SR 170 Public Engagement Summary

Appendix N – SR 170 Public Involvement and Agency Coordination Plan and Agency Correspondence

Current Status:

October 21, 2025: The project is currently in the preliminary engineering and environmental studies phase. The project team is working on finalizing the Functional Design and final NEPA document for the proposed project.

Estimated construction start: Fiscal Year 2029

Estimated completion*: TBD

Funding Type: TDOT anticipates that this project will be funded in part through the Transportation Modernization Fund.

History and Background

2004

Feasibility study for SR-170 completed August 2004 reviewed the following design options for viability:

Widening to four (4) lanes
Widening to a five (5) lane section with a center two way left-turn lane and replacement of the Clinch River Bridge
Listed as a high priority corridor to move the planning process forward

2011

Technical Report completed that considered three design options:

Option A (No-Build): No modifications or improvements over the planning horizon
Option B (Widening): Improvement to a five (5) lane roadway section and a new structure over the Clinch River Bridge
Option C: Intersection improvements along SR-170 at Melton Lake Drive, Walnut Valley Road, Old Emory Road, and New Henderson Road.

2022

Technical Report Update completed to consider:

Four (4) lane design with a raised median west of Walnut Valley Road
Five (5) lane design with a center two way left-turn lane east of Walnut Valley Road
Anderson SR 170 Technical Report (2022)

2025

Developed concept design and ETSA for the current proposed Build Alternative and Initiated NEPA:

Technical studies
Public Meeting
Environmental Assessment

Project Imagery & Visuals

Public Involvement and Engagement

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

OCTOBER 28 and OCTOBER 30, 2025 PUBLIC HEARINGS

TDOT held public hearings on October 28 and October 30, 2025, to present to the public the findings of the approved Environmental Assessment, including TDOT's indenfitcation of and recommendation for the Preferred Alternative, any anticipated social, economic, and environmental impacts of the Preferred Alternative, and preliminary plans to mitigate those impacts. Information on relocation services and payments, as well as the land acquisition process, was also discussed. These public hearings included a formal presentation followed by a Q&A session. TDOT representatives were also on-hand to answer questions.

These meetings were held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the following locations:

October 28: Claxton Elementary School | 2218 Clinton Highway | Powell, TN 37849
October 30: Oak Ridge Baptist Church | 1451 Bethel Valley Road | Oak RIdge, TN 37830

Download and view the October 28 & 30, 2025 Public Hearing Materials be clicking the following links:

MARCH 6, 2025 PUBLIC MEETING

TDOT hosted a public meeting on March 6, 2025, 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. The meeting will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Claxton Elementary School in Powell, Tenn.

View the March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Materials by clicking the following links:

March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Presentation

March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Handout

March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Postage Paid Comment Card

March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Display 1

March 6, 2025 Public Meeting Display 2