TDOT One Week Away From I-40 Closure in Downtown Knoxville

Knoxville, TN. - The Tennessee Department of Transportation is now one week away from the 14-month closure of a segment of I-40 in downtown Knoxville.  At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, a short section of I-40, located between James White Parkway (Exit 388) and Hall of Fame Drive (Exit 389), will close for reconstruction as part of the final phase of the SmartFIX40 project.  This closure will allow around-the-clock work without any traffic interruptions.  The project will be completed on or before June 30, 2009 and will save at least two years of construction time.

During the closure, this segment of I-40 will be widened to six through lanes and four auxiliary lanes. In addition to interstate improvements, work will include the construction of nine bridges, 14 retaining walls and three noise walls. Additionally, two existing bridges will be demolished, 12 side roads will be completed and seven new ramps will be constructed.

Beginning May 1, eastbound and westbound I-40 traffic will be rerouted onto I-640. Access to and from downtown Knoxville will be maintained throughout construction. Local traffic will have a number of alternate routes to get to and from downtown and the University of Tennessee. Eastbound motorists can use James White Parkway, Henley Street or Alcoa Highway. Westbound motorists can use the new Hall of Fame Drive to get to Neyland Drive and the South Knoxville Bridge. TDOT contractors have installed more than 200 new way-finding signs on the interstate roadways and arterial routes directing motorists to alternative routes during the closure.

On Wednesday, April 30, the final preparations for the rerouting of traffic on I-40 will take place. All remaining I-40 closure advisory signs will be uncovered.  At 10:00 p.m., access to I-40 eastbound from Western Avenue will be closed.  At 11:00 p.m., the ramp from Hall of Fame Drive to westbound I-40 will be closed and the access to I-40 eastbound from Henley Street will be closed.

At 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2008, all “Interstate Ends” signs will be uncovered on eastbound and westbound I-40 near downtown Knoxville. All local westbound traffic on I-40 between Cherry Street and Hall of Fame Drive will be diverted onto Hall of Fame Drive.  All eastbound traffic on I-40 past Henley Street will be diverted onto James White Parkway.

Closure updates and traffic shift information can be found on the SmartFIX40 website at www.smartfix40.com or by calling the SmartFIX40 project hotline at 865-329-GO40 (4640). Motorists can also dial 511 statewide or tune to 1620 AM along East Tennessee interstates to get updated traffic information.
 
SmartFIX40 is an accelerated construction process that involves closing a primary roadway to allow around-the-clock work that is uninterrupted by traffic in order to dramatically shorten the time it takes to complete the project, thereby reducing the long-term inconvenience to motorists.

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Contact:
Travis Brickey
TDOT, Community Relations Officer
Travis.Brickey@state.tn.us
865-594-0161