State Route 1 (US 11W) Improvements

Overview

The proposed improvements for State Route 1, from Rutledge to Bean Station in Grainger County, consist of widening the existing rural, two-lane roadway to a five-lane facility, allowing for a dedicated center turn lane. The proposed design essentially follows the existing alignment with shifts to the north or to the south in order to minimize right of way and environmental impacts.

Purpose and Need

Widening of this existing two-lane section of SR 1 will improve the safety and capacity of the roadway.  The proposed improvements are also consistent with the initial request to widen 22 miles of SR 1, from Blaine to the west side of Rutledge and from the east side of Rutledge to the bridge over Briar Fork Creek near Bean Station, excluding the City of Rutledge, a request set forth by state and local leaders in 1999.  

Proposed Design

The current roadway, from Rutledge to Bean Station, consists of two 12-foot travel lanes. The proposed design would widen the existing two-lane undivided roadway to a five-lane undivided roadway as follows.

• from the existing four-lane section near Water Street in Rutledge to west of Helton Road
  • Segment 1: Water Street to the bridge over Richland Creek
    • 12- to 14-foot travel lanes, two in each direction
    • 12-foot center turn lane
    • curb & gutter
    • 5-foot sidewalks
  • Segment 2: bridge over Richland Creek to west of Helton Road
    • 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction
    • 14-foot center turn lane
    • 12-foot shoulders
• from west of Helton Road to the bridge over Briar Fork Creek near Bean Station
  • 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction
  • 14-foot center turn lane
  • 12-foot shoulders

In addition to widening, the proposed design will also address curves and replace culverts and bridges along the corridor as needed.