West Knoxville Corridor

Anderson, Knox and Loudon counties

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) has completed development of the I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Study and associated planning products. The PEL Study examined solutions to address congestion, improve travel times and enhance system modernization along portions of Interstate 40 and Interstate 75 in Anderson, Knox and Loudon counties.

A PEL Study is a collaborative approach that integrates transportation planning with environmental review. By connecting these phases, duplication of effort is reduced, leading to more efficient decision-making, improved public involvement and agency outreach and better overall outcomes. The I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor PEL Study considered improvements to approximately 17 miles of the I-40/I-75 corridor west of Knoxville, from the I-40/I-75 interchange in Loudon County to the I-640 interchange just west of downtown Knoxville. As part of this process, TDOT also evaluated a possible new corridor within the study area.

TDOT has identified PEL Recommended Alternatives for public and agency review and comment. These recommended alternatives provide favorable improvements in traffic performance while addressing system modernization and meeting most of the study goals and other factors. Listed in no particular order, the PEL Recommended Alternatives include:

General Purpose Lane Widening Alternative
Choice Lanes – Papermill Elevated Alternative

The General Purpose Lane Widening Alternative would add one general purpose lane in each direction for most of the I-40/I-75 corridor, modernize the existing interstate and correct design and operational deficiencies, such as short merge and weave areas, narrow shoulders and other design components. The General Purpose Lane Widening Alternative would extend from just west of the I-40/I-75 system interchange in the westbound direction and at Watt Road in the eastbound direction and continue to the I-40/I-75 bridge over Middlebrook Pike.

The Choice Lanes – Papermill Elevated Alternative would add two Choice Lanes in each direction while keeping all existing general purpose lanes open to everyone. This alternative would use dynamic pricing to proactively manage demand and would provide improved travel times, giving motorists the choice of using existing lanes where a user fee is never assessed. The Choice Lanes – Papermill Elevated Alternative would extend from just west of the I-40/I-75 interchange and continue to the I-40/I-75 bridge over Middlebrook Pike with the Choice Lanes primarily at grade except for approximately two miles from east of Cedar Bluff Road to east of Papermill Drive where the Choice Lanes would be elevated to reduce right-of-way impacts at the interchanges.

The draft recommendations and supporting materials are available for review. Following consideration of public and agency comments and FHWA review and approval, TDOT intends to adopt or incorporate the PEL Study planning products and recommendations into future National Environmental Policy Act reviews, as appropriate, consistent with 23 U.S.C. 168.

Currently, TDOT’s 10-Year Project Plan includes funding for two projects along this corridor. Rather than approaching these projects as isolated improvements, TDOT has used the PEL Study process to develop a comprehensive strategy to improve the corridor. Both recommended alternatives were developed to complement the planned interchange improvements and work in tandem with those investments.

History and Background

TDOT has completed previous studies covering portions of the corridor, including:

PEL Study Planning Products

TDOT has completed development of the PEL Study Planning Products and defined the PEL Recommended Alternatives, which can be found in the links below. Planning products developed through the study arecurrently under review by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).

The FHWA has been engaged throughout the PEL Study Process through five formal Coordination Points. A Coordination Point is a designated stage in the PEL Study process when TDOT and FHWA review key findings, methodologies and recommendations to support continued coordination as the study progresses. These Coordination Points include: (1) the Framework and Methodology Agreement, (2) Purpose and Need Report, (3) Alternative Screening Methodology Report, (4) Alternative Evaluation Report and (5) the PEL Study Report. This structured process provides opportunities for FHWA review and input at key stages of the study. Additional information and supporting documents for each Coordination Point are provided below.

PEL Study Report recommendations are not final project commitments. Before advancing a PEL Recommended Alternative as a programmed project, TDOT must identify and allocate funding. The PEL Recommended Alternatives are based on their ability to address the study needs, purposes, objective, study goals, methodologies and evaluation criteria.

Baseline Conditions Report

Coordination Point 1: Framework and Methodology Agreement

Coordination Point 2: Purpose and Need Report

Coordination Point 3: Alternative Screening Methodology

Appendix A: Alternatives: Criteria, Scoring and Analysis

Coordination Point 4: Alternative Evaluation Report

Coordination Point 5: PEL Study Report

Planning products will also be available for review in-person at the following locations until November 26, 2026:

Public Involvement

TDOT is committed to engaging the community throughout this process.

Public comments will be accepted through November 26, 2026.

Individuals are encouraged to review online materials and, when possible, identify the applicable section, page, figure, table or appendix to assist in evaluating and addressing comments. Public comments received during the review period will be documented and considered before the report is finalized.

Please submit comments by one of the following methods:

Email - westknox@publicinput.com

Phone – 1-855-925-2801 Project Code - 11074

Mail – TDOT I-40/I-75 West Knoxville Corridor PEL Study Comments, 312 Rosa L Parks Ave., 24th Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0349

Previous public involvement included hosting meetings, collecting comments and distributing digital surveys. TDOT hosted the first round of public meetings in November 2025 and the second round in June and July 2026. The open-house style public meetings included interactive and informative stations, providing an opportunity to learn more about alternatives beingevaluated and next steps in the PEL Study.

The following boards were presented at the June/July 2026 Public Meetings

What is a PEL Study?
Purpose and Objective
Public Involvement Update
TDOT Right-of-Way Process
Targeted Approach
Study Needs
Study Area
Alternative Screening Criteria
Alternative Screening Chart
Level 2 Screening
Planned Projects
Evaluated Preliminary Alternatives
No Build Alternative
Choice Lanes Alternative
Collector-Distributor Roads Alternative
Express Bus Alternative
Interstate Widening Alternative
I-75 Bypass Alternative
I-75 Bypass Alternative Map
Transportation Systems Management and Operations
Preliminary PEL Recommended Alternatives
Next Steps
Next Steps Chart
How to Provide Comments

Additional Resources

Public Meeting Handout
Printable Public Comment Form
Pre-recorded presentation - click link to watch

November 2025 Public Meeting Boards and Materials:

Additional Resources:

Watch video

Project Contacts

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

Jason Sholtz
TDOT Region 1 Alternative Delivery Manager
Email: Jason.Sholtz@tn.gov

*Subject to change