Chapman Highway (State Route 71, US 441)

Knox, Blount, and Sevier counties

Originally built in the 1930s, Chapman Highway (State Route 71, US 441) is an undivided highway, accommodating commercial and residential traffic and providing a major connection between Knoxville and Sevierville. Increased growth and development along the corridor, and the resulting high volume of traffic, have resulted in safety and capacity issues.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is working to improve SR 71 across more than 17 miles in Knox, Blount, and Sevier Counties. The improvements, which have been divided into six smaller projects, are intended to address safety needs of the corridor and include widening, intersection improvements, and other roadway enhancements designed to reduce crashes and increase safety. Four phases have been completed. The fifth out of sixth phases of the Chapman Highway improvements project is currently under construction. The sixth and final phase will advance through the project development process as funding is identified.

Current Status: September 18, 2024

Wall 3 MSE wall and parapet has been completed. Wall 8GSR buttress has been installed. Clearing and grubbing at wall 5 has been completed. Excavation work has begun. Crews continue to monitor EPSC. Traffic maintained at two lanes in each direction.

Estimated construction start: 2016 (start of the entire project)

Estimated completion*: 2025

Traffic Impacts

Motorists traveling on Chapman Highway (State Route 71) in Knox County should be aware of construction activities that will have an impact on traffic. Northbound lanes of Chapman Highway were shifted to allow for construction of retaining walls 3 and 4 near White School Road.

Widening work will also proceed along the northbound side of Chapman Highway south of Simpson Road to south of Hendron Chapel Road. This work is contingent on favorable weather conditions. Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present.

History and Background

Due to the significant size of the corridor, the proposed improvements have been separated into six smaller sections or phases:

1. From near Blount Avenue in Knoxville to near SR 338 (Boyds Creek Highway) in Seymour (10.3 mi)

Intersection improvements and widening at various locations within the project limits

2. Intersection at SR 168 (John Sevier Highway) in Knoxville

Intersection improvements, including signalization

3. From Evans Road to Burnett Lane in Knoxville (0.9 mi)

Widen the existing four-lane roadway to a five-lane roadway with a center turn lane

4. From Macon Lane to State Route 338 (Boyds Creek Highway) in Seymour (1.18 mi)

Widen the existing four-lane roadway to a five-lane roadway with a center turn lane

5. From Foothills Drive in Seymour to Fred King Lane in Sevierville (7.15 mi)

Reconstruct and resurface the existing four-lane roadway to a three-lane roadway with dedicated passing lanes and paved shoulders to accommodate turn lanes

6. From Hendron Chapel Road to south of Simpson Road in Knoxville (0.98 mi)

Widen the existing four-lane roadway to a five-lane roadway with a center turn lane

Public Involvement and Engagement

Various public meetings were held between 2012-2016.

Section from Hendron Chapel Road to south of Simpson Road
April 21, 2016	General Location Map (pdf) Public Meeting Transcript (pdf)
Section from Evans Road to Burnett Lane
March 19, 2014	Public Meeting Presentation (pdf) Public Meeting Exhibit 1 (pdf) Public Meeting Exhibit 2 (pdf)
December 6, 2013	Public Meeting Presentation (pdf) Public Meeting Exhibit 1 (pdf) Public Meeting Exhibit 2 (pdf)
Section from Macon Lane to State Route 338 (Boyds Creek Highway)
October 4, 2012	Public Meeting Presentation (pdf) Public Meeting Color Exhibit (pdf)

Project Imagery & Visuals

Video: Chapman Highway from Foothills Road to Whites School Road (7.2 miles) Paving completed in 2016

Key Project Milestones

July 17, 2024: Northbound lanes of Chapman Highway were shifted to allow for construction of retaining walls 3 and 4 near White School Road. Soil nailing operations for wall 3 have begun, and preparation for extending the box culvert and install soil nails at wall 4 is underway.

Knox County
From near Blount Avenue to near SR 338 (Boyds Creek Highway)	Under development	Unknown (not identified for funding in TDOT's 10-Year Project Plan)
Intersection at SR 168 (John Sevier Highway)	Completed	June 2016
From Hendron Chapel Road to Simpson Road	Construction	Estimated 2025
Knox and Blount Counties
From Evans Road to Burnett Lane	Completed
Sevier County
From Macon Lane to SR 338 (Boyds Creek Highway)	Completed	August 2023
From Foothills Drive to Fred King Lane	Completed	December 2016

Project Contacts

Mark Nagi
TDOT Region 1 Regional Communications Officer (media)
Email: Mark.Nagi@tn.gov
Phone: 865-594-0161

Stacy Weaver (Roadway Design Manager)
TDOT Region 1
Email: Stacy.Weaver@tn.gov