State Route 33 (Maynardville Highway) Widening

History and Background

Proposed improvements were initiated in 1998 in response to transportation needs communicated to TDOT on behalf of the Knoxville Metropolitan Planning Organization. These improvements were intended to address congestion and operational and geometric deficiencies, as well as support future economic development activities in and around the study area. The proposed improvements along SR 33 included the reconstruction and widening of approximately 16-miles of primarily a two-lane roadway in Knox and Union Counties from north of SR 71 in Knox County to SR 61 in Maynardville. The overall improvements were broken up into three projects.

SR 33 serves as a critical connection route from Knoxville through Maynardville. The purpose of widening SR 33 is to create a safer and more efficient route by improving traffic flow and increasing the capacity of traffic by adding travel lanes. In its current configuration, SR 33 approaching Union County from Knoxville reduces from five to two lanes until entering Maynardville.

Design

The 5.34-mile-long project will include 5.08 miles of widening from the Knox County line tying into the existing pavement south of SR 144. The alignment will consist of four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction with a 12-foot center turn lane and 10-foot shoulders, which will extend across the whole span of the project. The proposed project includes the construction of one 200 foot I-Beam bridge over Bull Run Creek. This project also includes the construction of a box bridge and the installation of multiple roadway signs and pavement markings. 

Project Imagery & Visuals

Key Project Milestones

May 31, 2023

The contractor has continued grading activities. The contractor is almost finished with the left side of the second slab bridge. Whaley has poured the bottom slab of the 745+00 box and has begun forming walls and wingwalls. Comcast will be finished with Phase 1 within the week and AT&T will begin their work. Sewer work has continued with installation of pipe.

April 30, 2023

The contractor has continued grading activities. The contractor is working on forming and pouring walls and wingwalls on the left side of the second slab bridge. The contractor has poured the second abutment on the bridge. Temporary shoring has been completed at the 745+00RT box culvert. The first phase of electric is almost complete. Comcast will begin work followed by AT&T.

 March 31, 2023

The contractor has continued grading activities. The left side of the second slab bridge has all footers poured. Walls and wingwalls are currently being formed and poured. Temporary shoring has started at the 745+00 box culvert. The first phase of electric is almost complete. Comcast will follow and then AT&T. Sewer work has continued with installation of pipe.

February 27, 2023

The contractor has continued grading activities. The first slab bridge has been completed and continues to be backfilled. Work has begun on the second slab bridge. The contractor has performed in stream mitigation to allow excavation for the bridge footers. The first phase of electric is almost complete. Comcast will follow and then AT&T. Sewer work has continued. Temporary utilities have been installed at 2 boxes.

February 7, 2023

The contractor has continued grading activities. Phase 1 Pier 2 Column B has been poured of the bridge over Bull Run Creek. They are currently working to form/pour Pier 2 cap. The top slab of both sides of the first box culvert have been poured. They are working to remove forms and backfill the box. Work will begin on the second box culvert. Electric poles are being set, AT&T has followed and sewer work has begun.

November 28, 2022

Clearing and grubbing has been completed. The contractor has begun grading activities near the beginning of the job. The first 2 footers have been poured for Pier 1 of the bridge over Bull Run Creek. The right side of the first box culvert has the footers and one wing wall poured. The contractor will begin pouring columns for the bridge and continue work on the box culvert.

 September 26, 2022

Clearing and grubbing for the first 4.5 miles has been completed. Additional clearing and grubbing and EPSC installation will continue. Work on the first box culvert and bridge will begin within the next few weeks. Paving on the Southbound shoulder from North of Raccoon Valley to the end of project to prepare for the second traffic shift.

August 29, 2022

Clearing and grubbing for the first 3 miles has been completed. Environmental protection measures have continued to be installed.  Additional clearing and grubbing will continue. The 6’ traffic shift onto the repaved Northbound shoulder is complete.

July 28, 2022

Clearing and grubbing for the first 3 miles has been completed. Environmental protection measures have continued to be installed. Additional clearing and grubbing will continue. The 6’ traffic shift onto the repaved Northbound shoulder is currently in progress.  

July 1, 2022

Clearing and grubbing for the first 3 miles has been completed. Environmental protection measures have continued to be installed. The first phase of traffic control, milling and repaving the Northbound shoulder past Raccoon Valley has been completed. Additional clearing and grubbing will continue. Traffic shift will be implemented within the next few weeks.